Cod = Cod = Alaska pollock = Pollock = Coalfish
At the fish counter, things become complicated if one wishes to understand what ultimately ends up in the frying pan at home. Not only are the various fishing methods highly extensive, but the different common names of the fish also frequently mislead consumers regarding geographical origin and, ultimately, the actual species. For example, if one purchases Alaska pollock, this is not actually a species of salmon, but rather a member of the cod family. The cod family (Gadidae), comprising 11 genera and 22 species, is by no means small.
Directly on our doorstep lives the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Frequently designated as Alaska pollock, the "coalfish" also becomes "pollock" (Pollachius virens) from the Pacific.
Then there are also the Greenland cod (Gadus ogac), the Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) and (to complete the confusion) the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). These are all distinct species of food fish that end up in our supermarkets as "cod" or "Dorsch" and, through their preparation as "fish fingers", represent some of the most popular food fish in Germany. They share only one commonality: they belong to the cod family (Gadidae).
Worldwide stock levels, however, vary significantly. For instance, the Baltic Sea cod is critically endangered and stocks have collapsed, whilst other stocks continue to be heavily fished. According to the current WWF seafood guide, cod is rarely a sustainable choice, as it is mostly overfished.
Thus, the consumer is once again left perplexed by a tangle of names, not truly knowing what is ending up on their plate.
ElasmOcean advises: Avoid fish whose exact origin is unknown.
