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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide
Cod, Atlantic
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Atlantic Cod
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Scrod, Whitefish
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Iceland, Northeast Arctic
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Non-trawl
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Atlantic Cod
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Scrod, Whitefish
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Iceland, Northeast Arctic
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Trawl
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Atlantic Cod
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Scrod, Whitefish
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U.S. Atlantic
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Wild-caught
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Pacific Cod
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Alaska Cod, True Cod, Grey Cod
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Alaska
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Longline, Jig, Trap
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Pacific Cod
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Alaska Cod, True Cod, Gray Cod
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U.S. Pacific
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Trawl
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Pacific Cod
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Alaska Cod, True Cod, Gray Cod
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Imported Pacific
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Wild-caught
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Atlantic Cod
Atlantic cod from North America, Iceland and the Barents Sea has suffered from decades of overfishing. This has resulted in massive population declines. Cod is often caught using trawls, which cause severe, long-term impacts to seafloor habitats. “Avoid” trawl-caught Atlantic cod and enjoy cod caught with other gear as a “Good Alternative.”
Summary
Atlantic cod is a deep-water fish, living at depths of more than 1,300 feet on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Cod is one of several “groundfish” species, referring to the fact that they live on the seafloor.
For centuries, north Atlantic cod was one of the world’s largest and most reliable fisheries. However, overfishing threatens to bring this to an end. Despite strict management in the U.S. and Canada in recent years, cod remains overfished, with some populations so depleted that they’re listed as endangered or threatened. While cod populations in Iceland and the Northeast Arctic are in better condition, overfishing still occurs in these regions.
Fishermen often catch cod with bottom trawl gear, which involves dragging large nets across the seafloor. Trawling damages marine habitats and produces unwanted bycatch. However, a portion of the Icelandic and Northeast Arctic fisheries don’t use habitat-damaging trawling gear, and as a result, are ranked as a “Good Alternative.” Trawl-caught cod from Iceland and the Northeast Arctic is ranked as “Avoid” due to the combined issues of poor stock status and damage to the seafloor.
Recipe Alternatives
Striped bass, U.S.-farmed cobia and non-trawled Pacific cod are "Best Choices."
Scientific Reports About Our Ratings
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