Pollock is a mild-flavored white fish that has become one of the most widely consumed seafood products globally. This abundant fish serves as a raw material for countless processed seafood items available in supermarkets and fast-food restaurants. Because of its versatility and mild, flaky flesh, pollock has risen to prominence in the commercial fishing industry. Its massive global presence prompts questions about its origins and the environment where it lives.
Pollock’s Primary Marine Habitat
Pollock are exclusively saltwater fish, categorized as marine species that inhabit the cold, northern oceans. They belong to the Gadidae family, commonly known as the cod family, a group of fish almost entirely restricted to saline ocean environments. Their physiology is adapted for the high osmotic pressure of seawater, making survival in freshwater impossible. Pollock are found in cold waters, ranging from the near-surface to depths of several hundred meters near the sea floor. They are considered semi-pelagic schooling fish, aggregating in large groups throughout the water column.
Major Species and Global Distribution
Commercial pollock fishing targets two primary species, each inhabiting a distinct ocean basin. The most significant species is the Alaska Pollock, scientifically known as Gadus chalcogrammus (or Walleye Pollock), which dominates the North Pacific Ocean. This species is found in massive numbers across the eastern Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, and extends westward into the Sea of Okhotsk and the waters off Japan and Russia.
The second major species is the Atlantic Pollock, or Pollachius virens, sometimes called Saithe or Coley, which is native to the North Atlantic Ocean. This species is distributed across the western Atlantic from the Gulf of Maine up to the Hudson Strait. It is also found in the eastern Atlantic from the Barents Sea down to the Bay of Biscay. While both are members of the cod family, the North Pacific fishery yields a far greater volume of catch annually than the North Atlantic fishery.
Commercial Significance in the Seafood Market
Pollock holds the distinction of being one of the largest single-species food fisheries in the world by volume, led by the Alaska Pollock fishery. Its immense abundance and rapid life cycle make it a highly reliable and economically sound source of protein for global markets. The mild flavor, white color, and flaky texture of its flesh allow pollock to be used in a wide variety of processed foods.
The fish is perhaps most recognized as the primary ingredient in surimi, the protein paste used to create imitation crab meat and other seafood analogs. Pollock is also the fish of choice for the majority of frozen fish sticks, breaded portions, and fast-food fish sandwiches, such as the Filet-O-Fish. The scale of the harvest supports significant secondary industries, producing fish oil, fishmeal, and roe. Major pollock fisheries are widely recognized for sustainable management, often carrying certifications that ensure a responsibly harvested supply for the global market.