Pollack or Lythe | Good Fish Guide | The consumer guide to sustainable seafood

Common name - Pollack or Lythe

Scientific name - Pollachius pollachius

Average rating

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Consumer Information

A large fish belonging to the cod family, pollack is known as Lythe in Scotland and is common all around the UK coast. ? Much like cod or haddock in looks and cooking qualities, so a really good alternative. Also less intensively fished than cod. Deep fried in batter, its almost indistinguishable from cod or haddock. Fillets are meaty and, especially near the tail, largely boneless so it's?good for baking. Choose line-caught and tagged fish, where available. Handlining is one of the most eco-friendly and selective methods of fishing and fish caught by this method in Cornwall are also tagged as part of a scheme to provide line-to-plate traceability. See www.linecaught.org.uk for more information. Avoid eating immature fish, those below 50 cm, and during its breeding season, January to April.

Summary

There is insufficient information available to evaluate stock biomass and fishing mortality for pollack. The best choice to make, in terms of selectivity, is handline-caught pollack. For more information on line caught pollack from Cornish waters see www.linecaught.org.uk. Avoid eating immature fish (below 50cm) and during its breeding season, January to April.

Alternatives

(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)

Alaska pollock, Walleye pollock
Coley, Saithe
Haddock
Pouting or Bib
Whiting

Visit Fishonline, the website for the seafood industry, for more detailed information about this species.