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Species sheet · The Edible Ocean

Pollack

The rock-dwelling cod with the dark lateral line.

  • In batter or fish and chips
  • Baked in parchment
  • In brandade or fish pie
Pollack in its natural habitat, Umay image
Pollachius pollachius · Umay image, generated from a reference photograph — Olivier Dugornay (Ifremer), CC BY 4.0
In French
Lieu jaune
Scientific name
Pollachius pollachius
In the water
A benthopelagic fish of the north-east Atlantic, associated with rocky bottoms between 40 and 200 m.
Season & buying
Available year-round; favour sustainable origin and fishing gear.
Common length
~75 cm
How to identify it
Dark, clearly marked lateral line
Pointed snout
Slightly projecting lower jaw

On the plate

White, lean and delicate flesh.

Avoid: Overcooking: the lean flesh becomes stringy.

Often confused with saithe or cod, it is distinguished by its continuous dark lateral line.