Bottom-living fish (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) widespread in cold N waters of the Atlantic; length up to c.80 cm/32 in; body dark greenish-brown on back, sides silvery grey with dark patch above pectoral fins, underside white, lateral line black; feeds mainly on molluscs, worms, and echinoderms; important food fish, exploited commercially throughout the N Atlantic. Exceptionally high stock in the 1960s and 1970s was followed by a decrease in the 1980s, which led to quotas being imposed for catches under the Common Fisheries Policy in 1983. (Family: Gadidae.)
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Vulnerable (VU) |
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Melanogrammus aeglefinus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The haddock or offshore hake is a marine fish distributed on both sides of the North Atlantic.
The haddock is easily recognised by a black lateral line running along its white side, not to be confused with pollock which has the reverse, ie white line on black side, and a distinctive dark blotch above the pectoral fin, often described as a "thumbprint" or even the "Devil's thumbprint" or "St. Peter's mark".
Fisheries
Reaching sizes up to 110 cm, haddock is fished every other year.
Cuisine
Haddock is a very popular food fish, sold fresh, smoked, frozen, dried, or to a small extent canned.
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