Fish
Coalfish
Pollachius virens
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
61 cm
Minimum size
Description
The saithe is recognizable by its dark gray back. A close relative of the cod, it differs from the cod mainly in that it lacks barbels. Often confused with the pollock, it can be distinguished by its straight lateral line, which runs from the gills to the tail.
Habitat
It is a marine, demersal, and ocean-dwelling fish found in the water column from coastal areas to the open sea. Juveniles initially live near the coast, feeding on zooplankton, before migrating to deeper waters.
Distribution
Saithe are found in the cold and temperate waters of the northeastern Atlantic: from Greenland to Norway, all the way to the Bay of Biscay. They live near the coast, at depths of up to 400 meters.