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Coley, Saithe (Pollachius virens)

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Common name - Coley, Saithe
Scientific name - Pollachius virens
Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Caught at sea All applicable methods
Capture Area North East Atlantic  FAO 27
Stock Area Northeast Arctic
Stock Detail I and II
Summary
ICES classifies this stock as having full reproductive capacity and as harvested sustainably. The Norwegian fishery for saithe carried out in the Norwegian Sea, ICES Sub-areas I and II, within the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone is assessed as an environmentally responsible fishery by the Marine Stewardship Council. Avoid eating immature saithe below about 50-60 cms and during its breeding time January to March.
Biology
Coley or saithe belongs to the same family as cod and haddock. Coley usually enters coastal waters in spring and returns to deeper water in winter. They spawn from January to March at about 200m depth along the northern shelf edge and the western edge of the Norwegian deeps. Saithe can grow up to 130cm. It is a long-lived species and can reach ages of more than 25 years. They become sexually mature when 5-10 years old and 60-70cm long.
Stock Information
After a period of low stock size, the stock recovered during the 1990s. Based on the most recent (2011) estimates of biomass and fishing mortality, ICES classifies the stock as having full reproductive capacity or as healthy and as harvested sustainably. Fishing mortality is stable and since 1996 been below the precautionary level recommended by scientists. ICES advises that in 2012 catches should be no more than 164,000 t. Also bycatches of coastal cod and redfish (S.marinus) should be kept as low as possible. The Norwegian fishery for saithe, carried out in the Norwegian Sea, ICES Sub-areas I and II, within the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone, is assessed as an environmentally responsible fishery by the Marine Stewardship Council. The fishery is almost entirely (93%) Norwegian and managed by the Norwegian authorities.
Capture Information
Since the early 1960s, purse seiners and trawlers have dominated the fishery, with a traditional gillnet fishery for spawning saithe as the third major component. The gillnet fishery is the most intense during winter, purse seine in the summer months, while the trawl fishery takes place more evenly all year around. Norway accounts for more than 90% of the landings. Coastal cod and redfish are caught as bycatch in some saithe fisheries. The purse seine fishery is conducted in coastal areas and fjords. Slipping (a form of discarding) occurs in the purse seine fishery when saithe are caught below the legal minimum landing size. As a result, areas were closed and the MLS reduced from 42 to 40cms.
Alternatives
(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)
Read what the consumer pages of the Good Fish Guide say about this species.