Pollock

For other uses, see Pollock (disambiguation).

Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry
Nilsson, 1832 Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section subdivision Pollachius pollachius
Pollachius virens Template:Taxobox end

Pollock is the common term for either of the two species in the Pollachius genus. Both P. pollachius and P. virens are commonly referred to as pollock. Other names for P. pollachius include the Atlantic pollock, European pollock, lieu jaune, and pollack, while P. virens is sometimes known as the coalfish or saithe. Both species can grow to 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) and can weigh up to 46 lb (21 kg). This marine fish has a strongly-defined silvery lateral line running down the sides. Above the lateral line the color is a greenish black. The belly is white. It can be found in water up to 100 fathoms (180 m) deep over rocks, and anywhere in the water column. They have a range from North Carolina up to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Pollock are a "white fish". They are an important part of the New England and North Atlantic fisheries, though less so than cod and haddock. They spawn in late winter and early spring on Georges Bank, off the New England coast.

There are also members of the Theragra genus that are commonly referred to as pollocks. This includes the Alaska pollock or walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and the Norwegian pollock (Theragra finnmarchica). While related (they are also members of the family Gadidae) to the above pollocks, they are not members of the Pollachius genus.