Cod, Pacific

COD, PACIFIC (Gadus macrocephalus), also known as true cod or grey cod, grows to a length of more than 115 cm and a weight of 22.7 kg. Distinguished by 3 separate dorsal fins and a prominent barbel (fleshy filament) below the lower jaw, it lives from southern California north around the PACIFIC RIM and south to Japan and Korea. In the winter and spring, Pacific cod dwell along the ocean's shelf edge and upper slope at depths of 100–200 m. Here they overwinter; they spawn between Jan and Apr and later move to shallower waters for the summer. The female is highly fertile and can produce more than a million eggs. Pacific cod prey on other sea creatures such as worms, CRABS, MOLLUSCS, SHRIMP and smaller fish and in turn are preyed upon by HALIBUT, SHARK, seabirds and marine mammals. This species has an estimated maximum life span of 19 years. Pacific cod stock is commercially harvested in GROUNDFISH fisheries, principally by trawl nets and in smaller amounts by hook and line fisheries. Jigging is the favoured method of sport FISHING. The Atlantic or northern cod (Gadus morhua) is a member of the same family.