Atlantic Cod (2024)

Atlantic cod fish. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Atlantic cod fish. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

• There are two stocks of Atlantic cod: Gulf of Maine and Georges Bankstocks. According to the most recent stock assessments
  • The Gulf of Maine stock is overfished and subject to overfishing (2021 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
  • The Georges Bank stock is overfished and subject to overfishing (2021stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
• Historically, cod was so abundant off New England that early explorers named Cape Cod for the fish. Furthermore, Gloucester was established by a colonial charter issued to profit from cod fishing, and a painted “sacred cod” carved from pine has hung in the Massachusetts state house since 1784 as a symbol of prosperity.
• Due to high fishing pressure throughout the latter part of the 20th century, there are fewer fish in the U.S. stocks of Atlantic cod than the average for the past four decades.
• A primary source of rebuilding potential is the number of young fish coming into the population (recruitment). Over the past 20 years, recruitment has varied for the Gulf of Maine stock, and has been well below average for the Georges Bank stock.

• Atlantic cod are heavy-bodied with a large head, blunt snout, and a distinct barbel (a whisker-like organ, like on a catfish) under the lower jaw.
• Their coloring varies, ranging from light yellowish-green to red and olive, usually with darker speckles on the head, fins, tail, and body. The belly is light colored and usually spotless. Individuals can change color readily.
• Cod have an obvious lateral line (the faint line that runs lengthwise down each side of the fish).

• Atlantic cod can live more than 20 years.
• They can grow up to 51 inches and 77 pounds.
• They are capable of reproducing at 2 to 3 years old, when they are between 12 and 16 inches long.
• Cod spawn near the ocean floor from winter to early spring.
• Larger females can produce 3 to 9 million eggs when they spawn.
• They are top predators in the bottom ocean community, feeding on a variety of invertebrates and fish.

• There are two stocks of Atlantic cod in U.S. waters, the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank stocks.
• NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage Gulf of Maine cod. NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council collaborate with Canada to jointly manage Georges Bank cod, because the stock spans the international boundary.
• Atlantic cod, along with other groundfish in New England waters, are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which includes:
  • Permitting requirements for commercial vessels.
  • Separate management measures for recreational vessels.
  • Year-round and seasonal area closures to protect spawning fish and habitat.
  • Minimum fish sizes to prevent harvest of juvenile fish.
  • Annual catch limits, based on best available science.
  • An optional sector (catch share) program can be used for cod and other groundfish species. The sector program allows fishermen to form harvesting cooperatives and work together to decide when, where, and how they harvest fish.
  • A rebuilding plan to rebuild the Gulf of Maine stock to the target population level is in place with a target date of 2033.
  • A rebuilding plan to rebuild the Georges Bank stock to the target population level is in place with a target date of 2026.

• Commercial fishery:
  • In 2022, commercial landings of Atlantic cod totaled 1million pounds and were valued at $2.3million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database.
• Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
  • Cod are commonly harvested using trawl nets, gillnets, bottom longlines, and rod and reel.
  • Gillnets, longlines, and rod and reel used to harvest cod have little to no impact on habitat.
  • Closed areas and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets.
  • Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents.
• Recreational fishery:
  • Cod are highly prized by recreational fishermen. They are commonly harvested by anglers using lures or bait. Fishing occurs year-round.

  • In 2022, recreational anglers landed 380,000 pounds of Atlantic cod, according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database.

  • Regulations include minimum fish sizes, possession limits, and closed seasons.

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/16/2024