Pollock fish: a description of where it lives, what it eats, reproduction

Pollock is a very popular fish, the taste of which has been known to many citizens since childhood. Even in Soviet times, there were so-called fish days, when pollock was offered to workers and employees in canteens on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The size of the pollock population is simply huge, so the fish has become widespread throughout the world, including in North America. The famous McDonald’s uses the fillet of this fish to make breaded fish sticks, as well as to prepare a host of other fish dishes.

Pollock fish: description

In the US, this fish is constantly on the lips, and it is mentioned much more often than any artists, etc. Pollock meat has a whole bunch of useful components. Many people fell in love with this fish for its white meat color, because it is a dietary product that is easy and convenient to use in the form of a fillet. Pollock is a lean, low-fat fish that is ideal for creating a diet menu.

Pollock has a characteristic fishy taste, which is somewhat reminiscent of the taste of crab meat. Due to the unique taste, pollock is used in the industrial production of crab sticks and other fish products, as they are a cheaper alternative. Fans of fish snacks for beer do not even suspect that amber fish with pepper is a food product based on pollock meat.

Interesting information! Pollock fish is of enormous commercial importance and represents the cod family. Huge pollock populations are characteristic of the waters of the North Atlantic. Pollock can grow up to 1 meter in length.

In nature, there are several varieties of pollock – Atlantic pollock, European pollock and others. Approximately half of the total world catch of pollock falls on England and European countries. The remaining 50% is caught by Russia. The Alaskan fishery in the Bering Sea is considered one of the largest in the world.

Appearance

Pollock fish is characterized by an elongated body shape, which narrows in the direction from head to tail. The body is covered with small, silvery scales, while the back area is darker. The rest of the body is covered with medium-sized spots of dark shades, while they are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the body.

Pollock is also distinguished by the presence of three dorsal and two anal fins, between which there are small gaps. The first dorsal fin is located close to the head, the second dorsal fin is the largest and longest. The lateral line of the fish is characterized by the presence of sharp bends. The head of the pollock is visually large in size, so it looks disproportionate to the body. The same can be said about the eyes. The fact is that pollock fish is a deep-sea fish. Under the lower lip of the fish there is a small mustache, which makes pollock a unique fish in relation to other species. The lower jaw is somewhat longer than the upper.

Pollock fish has an average size that is within 75 cm, while its weight is about one and a half kilograms, although many argue that there are individuals weighing 3 kg or more with a length of up to 90 cm. Nobody will argue, since in nature everything is possible.

Behavior and lifestyle

Pollock fish feels great in the water column at different depths, although it is mainly found at a depth of about 200 meters. It should be noted that walleye pollock feels good at depths of 700 meters and deeper. In addition to the fact that pollock is a deep-sea fish, it is also cold-loving, as it prefers to live in conditions where the water temperature is in the range from +2 to +9 degrees. Fish also move in numerous flocks.

Important information! Pollock is a pelagic and fast-growing fish, so as it grows, it quickly gains weight and stretches in length. In the second year of life, young individuals grow up to 20 cm in length, and after a couple of years their length will be about 30 cm.

During the day, the fish makes frequent vertical movements. At night, walleye pollock adheres either to the middle layers of water, or keeps closer to the surface. In the daytime, pollock descends to depths of 200 meters or more. During the spawning period, this fish approaches the coastline at a distance of up to 50 meters, but no more. During this period, flocks of pollock are the most numerous.

How long does pollock live

As far as is known, pollock fish in natural conditions lives for about 15 years.

natural habitats

Both species live in the northern waters of the Atlantic, as well as in the western waters, in the interval from the Hudson Strait to Cape Hatteras, in North Carolina. In addition, pollock is found in the eastern waters of the Atlantic, in the interval between the island of Svalbard and the Bay of Biscay. Pollock fish lives in the Barents Sea, as well as within Iceland. It is also found in the coastal waters of Norway, the Faroe Islands, as well as within the territorial waters of England and Ireland.

Pollock diet

Pollock fish, like all other representatives of the underwater world, is an important ecological link in the North Atlantic. Pollock feeds on various small invertebrates and crustaceans, while pollock does not prey on other fish species. Young pollock feeds on plankton, amphipods, krill, and nematodes.

As they grow, they switch to feeding on larger food items. Pollock eats eggs and fry without problems, both of their own species and of others.

Reproduction and offspring

Pollock spawning occurs at the end of winter and early spring. After 3 or 4 years of life, the fish is able to reproduce. By the spawning period, pollock is gaining maximum weight, in the range of 2,5-5 kilograms. Each sexually mature individual spawns up to 15 times over the entire period of life.

Interesting to know! The laid and fertilized pollock roe is located in the water column, at a depth of about 50 meters.

Depending on the habitat conditions, pollock spawning takes place at different times of the year. In the autumn-summer period pollock spawns, which lives in the Barents Sea. In winter and spring, fish that live in the waters of the Pacific Ocean spawn. In the spring, Kamchatka pollock spawns, and in conditions when the water temperature reaches a minus mark. It’s all about salt water, as it freezes at temperatures lower than -2 degrees. In addition, the pollock itself is not afraid of sub-zero temperatures.

Natural enemies

Deep-sea pollock has few natural enemies, so they cannot cause serious damage to pollock populations. The most vulnerable, this fish is during the spawning period, when numerous flocks rise closer to the surface of the water.

Population and species status

Pollock may become extinct as a species if it continues to be harvested at this rate. The Greenpeace organization expressed its concern back in 2009, and in the same year it urged the population of many countries to stop eating pollock fish.

Despite such statements by some environmental organizations, in our time it is not possible to implement such requirements due to the low cost of fish, high gastronomic qualities and many other factors.

Commercial value of pollock

In the world ranking, pollock fish ranks first in terms of commercial catch volumes.

Interesting fact! Already in the eighties of the last century, pollock catch volumes reached the level of 7 million tons.

Our century was marked by the fact that the catch volumes were reduced to about 3 million tons, with 1,6 million tons accounted for by Russia. Not only pollock meat is valued, but also its liver, as well as caviar.

Useful properties of pollock

The energy value of pollock meat is only about 70 kcal, which makes the meat of this fish optimal for preparing dietary dishes. In the process of cooking fish, part of the moisture is removed, so its energy value increases, albeit slightly. Even fried pollock contains no more than 115 kcal.

Pollack meat contains many trace elements and many vitamins, groups “A”, “D” and “B”. A small portion of pollock contains up to 20% of useful components necessary for the human body. Due to this value, this fish can be consumed by a wide range of people, with the exception of those whose body does not absorb protein.

Pollock, like many other representatives of the cod family, is useful in that it has valuable not only meat, but also liver. Pollock liver is especially useful for a growing body and for pregnant women. Unfortunately, on the shelves of stores there is already gutted fish, so you have to be content with only its meat. No less valuable and useful pollock caviar, which is a real delicacy, which is sold in the form of frozen briquettes or in the form of canned food. Caviar is best consumed in slightly salted form, so that the benefits are maximized.

Pollock in cooking

Pollock fish is very popular among culinary specialists all over the world. Dishes prepared from pollock go well with various types of side dishes, appetizers and salads and are always in demand on any holiday table. At the same time, pollock can be fried, boiled, baked in the oven, smoked, dried, salted, etc.

Pollock meat is characterized by being highly absorbent, so it quickly salts and marinates in any seasoning or wine, although ingredients such as vinegar are never used to marinate pollock.

Many cooks salt the fish after it is cooked or do not salt it at all, but then they prepare special sauces to give the dish the necessary taste sensations.