Alaska pollock#Use as food in Korea
{{short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Alaska pollock
| image = Theragra chalcogramma.png
| image2 = Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) - GRB.jpg
| image2_caption = In the Oarai Aquarium, Japan
| status = NT
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| image_caption =
| taxon = Gadus chalcogrammus
| authority = Pallas, 1814
| synonyms = {{Species list|Pollachius chalcogrammus|Pallas, 1814
|Theragra chalcogramma|Pallas, 1814
|Gadus periscopus|Cope, 1873
|Gadus minor|Döderlein, 1887
|Theragra fucensis|Jordan & Gilbert, 1893
|Theragra finnmarchica|Koefoed, 1956}}
| synonyms_ref = {{cite web|url=https://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/1042646|title=Taxonomy - Gadus chalcogrammus (Alaska pollock) (Theragra chalcogramma)|website=UniProt}}
}}
The Alaska pollock or walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) is a marine fish species of the cod genus Gadus and family Gadidae.
It is a semi-pelagic schooling fish widely distributed in the North Pacific, with largest concentrations found in the eastern Bering Sea.{{cite web|url=http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/species/pollock.php|title=Walleye Pollock Research|author=|year=2013|website=Alaska Fisheries Science Center|publisher=NOAA|access-date=9 April 2015}}
Name and differentiation
Alaska pollock was in 1956 put in its own genus, Theragra, and classified as Theragra chalcogramma, but research in 2008 has shown it is rather closely related to the Atlantic cod and should therefore be moved back to Gadus, where it was originally placed.{{cite journal|last1=Carr|first1=Steven M.|last2=Marshall|first2=H. Dawn|year=2008|title=Phylogeographic analysis of complete mtDNA genomes from walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas, 1811) shows an ancient origin of genetic biodiversity|journal=Mitochondrial DNA|doi=10.1080/19401730802570942|volume=19|issue=6|pages=490–496|pmid=19489135|s2cid=11001548}} In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the official scientific name for the fish was changed from Theragra chalcogramma back to its original taxon Gadus chalcogrammus, highlighting its close genetic relationship to the other species of the cod genus Gadus.{{cite web|website=Seafood News|first=John|last=Sackton|date=4 March 2014|url=https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/966528/FDA-Changes-Scientific-Name-of-Walleye-Pollock-but-Has-Not-Ruled-on-Market-Name-Change-to-Pollock|title=FDA Changes Scientific Name of Walleye Pollock, but Has Not Ruled on Market Name Change to 'Pollock'}} Since 2014, registries of scientific names for fish species (e.g. the United Nations' ASFIS list and the World Registry of Marine Species (WoRMS) have largely adopted the Gadus chalcogrammus name.{{Cite web |title=FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture |url=https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/collection/asfis/en |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=www.fao.org}}{{Cite web |title=WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas, 1814 |url=https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=300735 |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=www.marinespecies.org}}
The change of the official scientific name was followed by a discussion to change the common name as well, to highlight the fish as a member of the cod genus.{{cite web|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|url=https://www.fishwatch.gov/featured-articles/pollock-is-pollock|title=Pollock is Pollock|website=FishWatch|date=14 March 2024 }} The common names "Alaska pollock" and "walleye pollock", both used as trade names internationally, are considered misleading by scientific and trade experts, as the names do not reflect the scientific classification.{{cite web|first=Øystein|last=Valanes|url=http://fish.gov.ru/files/documents/press-centr/vystavki/mrf2017/p_5-3.pdf|title=Alaska pollock versus cod. An outline of the genus Gadus and possible consequences for the market|publisher=Norwegian Seafood Council|access-date=2020-05-17|archive-date=2021-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514110208/http://www.fish.gov.ru/files/documents/press-centr/vystavki/mrf2017/p_5-3.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|website=SavingSeafood.com|date=21 January 2014|url=https://www.savingseafood.org/science/noaa-says-alaska-pollock-now-a-cod-name-officially-changed-from-theragra-spp-to-gadus/|title=NOAA says Alaska pollock now a cod – name officially changed from Theragra spp. to Gadus}}{{cite web|website=SeafoodSource.com|date=4 March 2015|url=https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/fda-changes-cod-listing-still-calls-it-alaska-pollock|title=FDA changes cod listing, still calls it Alaska pollock}} While belonging to the same family as the Atlantic pollock, the Alaska pollock is not a member of the genus Pollachius, but of the cod genus Gadus. Nevertheless, alternative trade names highlighting its placement in the cod genus, such as "snow cod",{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskaseafood.org/retailers/practices/pages/buyerguide-whitefish/index.html|website=Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute|title=Whitefish Buyers Guide|year=2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926232617/http://www.alaskaseafood.org/retailers/practices/pages/buyerguide-whitefish/index.html|archive-date=26 September 2006}}{{cite web|website=SeafoodSource.com|date=23 January 2014|url=https://www.seafoodsource.com/seafood-handbook/finfish/pollock-alaska|title=Alaska pollock}}{{cite book|last=Doré|first=Ian|year=1991|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5lLUBwAAQBAJ|title=The New Fresh Seafood Buyer's Guide: A manual for distributors, restaurants, and retailers|page=126|location=Boston, MA|publisher=Springer Science+Business Media|doi=10.1007/978-1-4757-5990-7|isbn=978-1-4757-5990-7}} "bigeye cod", or direct deductions from the scientific names such as "copperline cod" (gadus meaning 'cod', {{langx|la|chalco-}} from {{langx|el-Latn|khalkós}} meaning 'copper', and {{langx|el-Latn|grammí}} meaning 'line'{{cite web|website=FishBase|url=http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=318|title=Alaska Pollock}}) or "lesser cod" (from the synonymous taxon Gadus minor) have yet to find widespread acceptance. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration even states that "[the common name] might never change, as common names are separate from scientific names".
In addition, Norwegian pollock (Theragra finnmarchica), a rare fish of Norwegian waters, is likely the same species as the Alaska pollock.
Ecology
The speckled coloring of Alaska pollock makes it more difficult for predators to see them when they are near sandy ocean floors.{{cite web|url=http://www.fishwatch.gov/seafood_profiles/species/pollock/species_pages/alaska_pollock.htm|title=Alaska Pollock|author=|date=29 April 2014|website=FishWatch|publisher=NOAA|access-date=9 April 2015}} They are a relatively fast-growing and short-lived species, currently representing a major biological component of the Bering Sea ecosystem. It has been found that catches of Alaska pollock go up three years after stormy summers. The storms stir up nutrients, and this results in phytoplankton being plentiful for longer, which in turn allows more pollock hatchlings to survive.{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126881.700-why-storms-are-good-news-for-fishermen--.html|title=Why storms are good news for fishermen|last=Pearson|first=Aria|date=6 January 2009|website=New Scientist|publisher=Reed Business Information|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127044125/http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126881.700-why-storms-are-good-news-for-fishermen--.html|archive-date=27 January 2009|url-status=live|access-date=9 April 2015}}
The Alaska pollock has well-developed drumming muscles{{cite journal|last1=Hawkins|first1=A. D.|last2=Rasmussen|first2=K. J.|year=1978|title=The calls of gadoid fish|journal=Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom|doi=10.1017/s0025315400056848|volume=58|issue=4|pages=891–911|bibcode=1978JMBUK..58..891H |s2cid=84514769 }} that the fish use to produce sounds during courtship, like many other gadids.{{cite journal|author1=Yong-Seok Park|author2=Yasunori Sakurai|author3=Tohru Mukai|author4=Kohji Iida|author5=Noritatsu Sano|year=2004|title=Sound production related to the reproductive behavior of captive walleye pollock|language=ja, en|journal=Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi|volume=60|issue=4|pages=467–472|url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/suisan1932/60/4/60_4_467/_pdf/-char/en|doi=10.2331/suisan.60.467|doi-access=free|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806014924/https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/suisan1932/60/4/60_4_467/_pdf/-char/en|archive-date=2020-08-06|hdl=2115/35562|hdl-access=free}}{{cite journal|last1=Skjæraasen|first1=Jon Egil|last2=Meager|first2=JustinJ.|last3=Heino|first3=Mikko|year=2012|title=Secondary sexual characteristics in codfishes (Gadidae) in relation to sound production, habitat use and social behaviour|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231182360|journal=Marine Biology Research|volume=8|issue=3|pages=201–209|doi=10.1080/17451000.2011.637562|access-date=9 April 2015|doi-access=free|bibcode=2012MBioR...8..201S }}
= Foraging behavior =
The primary factor in determining the foraging behavior of the Alaskan pollock is age. Young pollocks can be divided into two sub-groups, fish with lengths below {{cvt|60|mm|in|frac=2}} and fish greater than 60{{nbsp}}mm. Both groups mainly feed on copepods.{{Cite journal|title=Foraging impact on zooplankton by age-0 walleye Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) around a front in the southeast Bering Sea|last1=Ciannelli|first1=L.|last2=Brodeur|first2=R. D.|last3=Napp|first3=J. M.|year=2004|journal=Marine Biology|doi=10.1007/s00227-003-1215-4|volume=144|issue=3|pages=515–526|bibcode=2004MarBi.144..515C |s2cid=3447513}} However, the latter group will also forage for krill. Therefore, food depletion has a larger effect on smaller pollock.
The variation in size of each subgroup also affects seasonal foraging behavior. During the winter, when food is scarce, foraging can be costly due to the fact that longer hunting time increases the risk of meeting a predator. The larger young pollocks have no need to hunt during the winter because they have a higher capacity for energy storage, while smaller fish do not, and have to continue foraging, putting them at greater risk. To maximize their chances of survival, large pollock increase their calorie intake in autumn to gain weight, while smaller ones focus solely on growing in size.{{Cite journal|title=Influence of size on the sources of energy consumed by overwintering walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)|journal=Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology|date=2010-09-30|pages=43–50|volume=393|issue=1–2|doi=10.1016/j.jembe.2010.06.030|first1=Ron A.|last1=Heintz|first2=Johanna J.|last2=Vollenweider|bibcode=2010JEMBE.393...43H |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1259101}}
Alaskan pollock exhibit diel vertical migration, following the seasonal movement of their food. Although pollocks exhibit vertical movement during the day, their average depth changes with the seasons. Originally, the change in depth was attributed to the amount of light or water temperature, but in fact, it follows the movement of food species.{{Cite journal|title=Seasonal changes in the diel vertical migration of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the northern Gulf of Alaska|journal=Environmental Biology of Fishes|date=2009-08-08|issn=0378-1909|pages=297–305|volume=86|issue=2|doi=10.1007/s10641-009-9519-y|first1=Charles F.|last1=Adams|first2=Robert J.|last2=Foy|first3=John J.|last3=Kelley|first4=Kenneth O.|last4=Coyle|bibcode=2009EnvBF..86..297A |s2cid=11143793}} In August, when food is abundantly available near the surface, pollocks will be found at shallower depths. In November, they are found deeper along with their planktonic food source.
Distribution
= Alaska pollock in the Pacific Ocean =
The Alaska pollock's main habitats are the coastal areas of the Northern Pacific, especially the waters off Alaska (Eastern Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands) as well as off Russia, Japan and Korea (Western Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk). The largest concentrations of Alaska pollock are found in the eastern Bering Sea.
= Small populations in the Arctic Ocean (Barents Sea) =
File:Theragra finnmarchica.jpg
Very small populations of fish genetically identical to Gadus chalcogrammus are found in the Barents Sea waters of northern Norway and Russia.{{Cite journal|last1=Privalikhin|first1=A. M.|last2=Norvillo|first2=G. V.|doi=10.1134/S0032945210020013|title=On the finding of a rare species—Norwegian pollock Theragra finnmarchica Koefoed, 1956 (Gadidae)—in the Barents Sea|journal=Journal of Ichthyology|volume=50|issue=2|pages=143–147|year=2010|bibcode=2010JIch...50..143P |s2cid=34014444}} This fish was initially described as its own species under the taxon Theragra finnmarchica by Norwegian zoologist Einar Koefoed in 1956.{{Cite journal|volume=11|issue=5|pages=3–11|last=Koefoed|first=Einar|title='Theragra finnmarchica' n. sp. A fish caught off Berlevåg allied to the Alaskan pollack, 'Theragra chalcogramma' Pallas from the Bering Sea|journal=Fiskeridirektoratets Skrifter, Serie Havundersøkelser|year=1956|url=http://brage.bibsys.no/imr/handle/URN:NBN:no-bibsys_brage_18197}} The common name used for the fish was "Norway pollock". Genetic analyses have shown that the fish is genetically identical to the Alaska pollock. It is therefore considered to be conspecific with the Pacific species and is attributed to Gadus chalcogrammus. The history of the species in the Barents Sea is unknown.{{Cite book|publisher=Institute of Marine Research|pages=54–55|editor=Ann-Lisbeth Agnalt|display-editors=etal|last=Christiansen|first=Jørgen S.|author2=Svein-Erik Fevolden|author3=Ingvar Byrkjedal|title=Kyst og havbruk 2009|chapter=Berlevågfisken - en nordnorsk torskefisk med aner i Stillehavet (The Gadoid Fish Berlevågfisk)|location=Bergen, Norway|series=Fisken og havet|year=2009|url=http://www.imr.no/filarkiv/kyst_og_havbruk_2009/Kap_1.11.pdf/nb-no}}
The initial specification as an own species by Koefoed was based on two specimens landed in Berlevåg, northern Norway, in 1932 (hence the Norwegian name, {{lang|no|Berlevågfisk}}). Based on morphological differences, Koefoed considered Theragra finnmarchica a new species, related to but separate from the Alaska pollock. Just seven specimens of the fish are known to have been caught between 1957 and early 2002 in the Arctic Ocean.{{Cite journal|doi = 10.1111/j.0022-1112.2005.00682.x|issn=1095-8649|volume=66|issue=4|pages=1193–1197|last=Christiansen|first=Jørgen S.|author2=Svein-Erik Fevolden|author3=Ingvar Byrkjedal|title=The occurrence of Theragra finnmarchica Koefoed, 1956 (Teleostei, Gadidae), 1932–2004|journal=Journal of Fish Biology|date=2005-04-01|bibcode=2005JFBio..66.1193C }} In 2003 and 2004, 31 new specimens were caught. All specimens were large ({{cvt|465|–|687|mm|in|frac=8}} in total length) and caught in the coastal waters between Vesterålen in the west and Varangerfjord in the east. By 2006, 54 individuals had been recorded.{{Cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.01958.x|issn=1095-8649|volume=73|issue=5|pages=1183–1200|last1=Byrkjedal|first1=I.|last2=Rees|first2=D. J.|last3=Christiansen|first3=Jørgen S.|first4=Svein-Erik|last4=Fevolden|title=The taxonomic status of Theragra finnmarchica Koefoed, 1956 (Teleostei: Gadidae): perspectives from morphological and molecular data|journal=Journal of Fish Biology|date=2008-10-01|bibcode=2008JFBio..73.1183B }} Sequencing of mitochondrial DNA of two specimens of Theragra finnmarchica and 10 Theragra chalcogramma (today: Gadus chalcogrammus) revealed no significant genetic differences, leading Ursvik et al.{{Cite journal|doi=10.1186/1471-2148-7-86|issn=1471-2148|volume=7|issue=1|page=86|last1=Ursvik|first1=Anita|last2=Breines|first2=Ragna|last3=Christiansen|first3=Jørgen S.|last4=Fevolden|first4=Svein-Erik|last5=Coucheron|first5=Dag H.|last6=Johansen|first6=Steinar D.|title=A mitogenomic approach to the taxonomy of pollocks: 'Theragra chalcogramma' and 'T. finnmarchica' represent one single species|journal=BMC Evolutionary Biology|date=2007-06-07|pmid=17555567|pmc=1894972 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2007BMCEE...7...86U }} to suggest that T. finnmarchica and T. chalcogramma are the same species. An analysis of a much larger sample size (44 T. finnmarchica and 20 T. chalcogramma) using both genetic and morphological methods led to similar conclusions. While the putative species could not be separated genetically, they showed some consistent differences in morphology. Only one characteristic showed no overlap. Byrkjedal et al. conclude that T. finnmarchica should be considered a junior synonym of T. chalcogramma. These analyses also suggest that T. finnmarchica is a near relative of the Atlantic cod, and that both Alaska and Norway pollock should be moved to genus Gadus.
Norway pollock (Theragra finnmarchica) was listed as Near Threatened in the 2010 Norwegian Red List for Species{{cite web|url=http://www.artsportalen.artsdatabanken.no/#/Rodliste2010/Vurdering/Theragra+finnmarchica/25021|title=Theragra finnmarchica|website=Artsdatabanken.no|access-date=23 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914150758/http://www.artsportalen.artsdatabanken.no/#/Rodliste2010/Vurdering/Theragra+finnmarchica/25021|archive-date=14 September 2013|url-status=dead}} based on criteria D1: "Very small or geographically very restricted population: Number of mature individuals". The IUCN Red List currently lists Alaskan pollock as Near Threatened in Europe.
Fisheries
File:Alaska pollock(=walleye poll.), capture production, million tonnes, 1950-2022.svg{{Cite web |title=Fisheries and Aquaculture - Global Production |url=https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/collection/global_production?lang=en |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)}}]]
The Alaska pollock has been said to be "the largest remaining source of palatable fish in the world".{{cite book|last=Clover|first=Charles|date=2004|title=The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat|publisher=Ebury Press|isbn=978-0-09-189780-2|title-link=The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat}} Around {{convert|3|e6MT|abbr=off}} of Alaska pollock are caught each year in the North Pacific, from Alaska to northern Japan. Alaska pollock is the world's second most important fish species, after the Peruvian anchoveta, in terms of total catch.{{Cite book|title=The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010|year=2010|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|location=Rome|isbn=978-92-5-106675-1}}
Alaska pollock landings are the largest of any single fish species in the U.S, with the average annual Eastern Bering Sea catch between 1979 and 2022 being 1.26 million metric tons.{{Cite report |url=https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/Plan_Team/2022/EBSPollock.pdf |title=Chapter 1: Assessment of the Walleye Pollock Stock in the Eastern Bering Sea |last1=Ianelli |first1=James |last2=Stienessen |first2=Sarah |date=December 2022 |page=6 |last3=Honkalehto |first3=Taina |last4=Siddon |first4=Elizabeth |last5=Allen-Akselrud |first5=Caitlin |access-date=April 23, 2023}} Alaska pollock catches from U.S. fisheries have been relatively consistent at approximately 1.3 million tons a year, on average 92 percent from the Bering Sea and 8 percent from the Gulf of Alaska.{{Cite journal |last1=Ianelli |first1=James |last2=Fissel |first2=Ben |last3=Stienessen |first3=Sarah |last4=Honkalehto |first4=Taina |last5=Siddon |first5=Elizabeth |last6=Allen-Akselrud |first6=Caitlin |date=December 4, 2021 |title=Assessment of the Walleye Pollock Stock in the Eastern Bering Sea |url=https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/refm/docs/2021/EBSPollock.pdf |journal=National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; Final 2021 and 2022 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/25/2021-03564/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-bering-sea-and-aleutian-islands-final-2021-and |access-date= |website=Federal Register}} Each year's quota is adjusted based on stock assessments conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center to prevent overfishing.{{cite web|url=http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/refm/stocks/assessments.htm|title=North Pacific Groundfish Stock Assessments|website=Alaska Fisheries Science Center|date=12 May 2022 }} For example quotas were reduced from 2008 to 2010 in the Bering Sea due to stock declines.{{Cite journal |last1=Ianelli |first1=James |last2=Honkalehto |first2=Taina |last3=Barbeaux |first3=Steve |last4=Kotwicki |first4=Stan |date=December 2014 |title=Assessment of the walleye pollock stock in the Eastern Bering Sea |url=https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/REFM/Docs/2014/EBSpollock.pdf |journal=Alaska Fisheries Science Center and National Marine Fisheries Service}}
Independent certification groups have hailed the fishery as an example of good management. For example, the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands fisheries were separately certified as "sustainable" by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in 2005, and were certified in 2010 and 2016.{{Cite web |title=Assessments BSAI and GOA Alaska pollock - MSC Fisheries |url=https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/bsai-and-goa-alaska-pollock/@@assessments |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=fisheries.msc.org}} The fisheries received a combined re-certification in 2020.{{cite web|url=http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/alaska_pollock/|title=WWF - Alaskan & Russian Pollock|publisher=World Wildlife Fund|access-date=2013-09-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921234701/http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/alaska_pollock/|archive-date=2013-09-21}} The Marine Conservation Society rates Alaska pollock harvested from the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands as sustainable, but not those from the Western Bering Sea in Russian waters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcsuk.org/goodfishguide/search|title=Good Fish Guide|website=Marine Conservation Society UK|access-date=29 July 2019}}
In 2021, the MSC awarded the U.S. trade associations Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) and At-Sea Processors Association with its Ocean Champion Award that recognizes organizations for meeting MSC's commitment to a healthier ocean and a more transparent supply chain. The MSC recognized Alaska pollock from U.S. fisheries as one of the "healthiest" and "most sustainable sources" of protein.{{cite web | title=Wild Alaska Pollock Named a 2021 MSC US Ocean Champion | website=Marine Stewardship Council | date=January 20, 2022 | url=http://www.msc.org/en-us/media-center/news-media/press-release/wild-alaska-pollock-named-a-2021-msc-us-ocean-champion | access-date=2022-04-30}}{{cite web | title=Wild Alaska Pollock Awarded 2021 Ocean Champion Award | website=Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers | date=2022-01-20 | url=http://www.alaskapollock.org/about-us/news/wild-alaska-pollock-awarded-2021-ocean-champion-award | access-date=2022-04-30}}
File:Pollock larva.jpg|{{center|Pollock larvae}}
File:Juvenile pollock.jpg|{{center|Juvenile pollock}}
File:Alaska pollock 2.jpg|{{center|Adult pollock}}
File:Alaska pollock catch.jpg|{{center|{{convert|8|ST}}}}|alt={{convert|8|ST}} of Alaska pollock in a net on a trawler's deck
As food
= Fillets =
High-quality, single-frozen whole Alaska pollock fillets may be layered into a block mold and deep-frozen to produce fish blocks that are used throughout Europe and North America as the raw material for high-quality breaded and battered fish products. Lower-quality, double-frozen fillets or minced trim pieces may also be frozen in block forms and used as raw material for lower-quality, low-cost breaded and battered fish sticks and portions.
Alaska pollock is commonly used in the fast food industry in products such as McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwich,{{Cite web |title=Filet-O-Fish®: Fish Sandwich {{!}} McDonald's |url=https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/filet-o-fish.html |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=www.mcdonalds.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=What Type of Fish do You use in the Filet-O-Fish®? |url=https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/faq/what-type-of-fish-do-you-use-in-the-filet-o-fish.html |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=www.mcdonalds.com |language=en-US}} Burger King Big Fish Sandwich, Wendy's Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich,{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Wendy's |url=https://order.wendys.com/product/31110/crispy-panko-fish-sandwich |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=order.wendys.com}} Arby's King's Hawaiian Fish Deluxe,{{Cite web |title=King's Hawaiian® Fish Deluxe - Order Online {{!}} Arby's Menu |url=https://www.arbys.com/menu/limited-time/kings-hawaiian-fish-deluxe/ |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=www.arbys.com}} Arby's Crispy Fish Sandwich,{{Cite web |title=Crispy Fish Sandwich - Order Online {{!}} Arby's Menu |url=https://www.arbys.com/menu/limited-time/crispy-fish-sandwich/ |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=www.arbys.com}} Arby's Spicy Fish Sandwich,{{Cite web |title=Spicy Fish Sandwich - Order Online {{!}} Arby's Menu |url=https://www.arbys.com/menu/limited-time/spicy-fish-sandwich/ |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=www.arbys.com |archive-date=2022-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413135437/https://www.arbys.com/menu/limited-time/spicy-fish-sandwich/ |url-status=dead }} Long John Silver's Baja Fish Taco,{{cite web|url=http://www.ljsilvers.com/images/pdfs/LJS_Customer_Ingredient_List_July%202014.pdf|title=Ingredient Statements|author=|date=June 2014|publisher=Ljsilvers.com|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908110920/http://www.ljsilvers.com/images/pdfs/LJS_Customer_Ingredient_List_July%202014.pdf|archive-date=8 September 2015|url-status=dead}} Bojangles Bojangular,{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2021 |first=Meghan |last=Overdeep |title=Bojangles' Beloved Fish Sandwich Returns |url=https://www.southernliving.com/news/bojangles-fish-sandwich-bojangler-back-limited-time |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=Southern Living |language=en}} Birds Eye's Fish Fingers in Crispy Batter,{{cite web|url=http://www.birdseye.co.uk/range/Products/Fish%20Fingers%20in%20Crispy%20Batter|title=Fish Fingers in Crispy Batter|author=|year=2014|publisher=Birdseye.co.uk|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415141518/http://www.birdseye.co.uk/range/Products/Fish%20Fingers%20in%20Crispy%20Batter|archive-date=15 April 2015}} 7-Eleven's Fish Bites,{{Cite web |title=Tuesday, March 09, 2021 PR: It's O-FISH-AL! 7-Eleven Launches New Fish Bites |url=https://sites.7-eleven.com/corp-press-releases/03-09-2021-it-s-o-fish-al-7-eleven-launches-new-fish-bites |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=sites.7-eleven.com |language=en |archive-date=2021-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418043842/http://sites.7-eleven.com/corp-press-releases/03-09-2021-it-s-o-fish-al-7-eleven-launches-new-fish-bites |url-status=dead }} White Castle's Panko Breaded Fish Sliders,{{Cite web |title=White Castle |url=https://www.whitecastle.com/menu/panko-breaded-fish-slider |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=www.whitecastle.com |language=en}} and Captain D's Seafood Kitchen.{{cite web|url=https://www.captainds.com/our-quality/|title=Pollock|author=|work=Captain D's |access-date=21 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917141430/http://www.captainds.com:80/our-quality |archive-date=2017-09-17 }} Some of these items are seasonal offerings during Lent, when seafood demand is higher.
= Surimi =
File:Japanese Sugiyo Kanikama Kaoribako2.JPG is often made from pulverized Alaska pollock]]
Single-frozen Alaska pollock is considered to be the premier raw material for surimi. The most common use of surimi in the United States is "imitation crabmeat", though it is often seen labeled in retailers and grocers as "surimi seafood" sticks, flakes, or chunks.{{Cite web |title=Instacart - Search Results for "surimi" |url=https://www.instacart.com/store/safeway/search_v3/surimi?guest=true¤t_retailer_id=1¤t_zip_code=98119 |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=www.instacart.com}}{{Cite web |title=Dyna Sea Crab Flavored Surimi Seafood Sticks |url=https://www.walmart.com/blocked?url=L2lwL0R5bmEtU2VhLUNyYWItRmxhdm9yZWQtU3VyaW1pLVNlYWZvb2QtU3RpY2tzLTE2LU91bmNlLTEyLXBlci1jYXNlLzE4MzY5MjE3Mw==&uuid=b8c963cb-d6ee-11ec-8c9e-6f5778544d4f&vid=&g=b |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=www.walmart.com}} There are five main forms of surimi seafood: chunk, leg, flake, salad, and shred.{{Cite web |title=Surimi Seafood |url=https://www.alaskapollock.org/surimi-seafood |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=www.alaskapollock.org |language=en}} Surimi made from minced Alaska Pollock retains the aforementioned carbon footprint advantage.{{Cite report |last1=Zhang |first1=Xinyue |last2=Kotin |first2=Adam| last3=Zgola |first3=Melissa |date=July 2021 |title=Life Cycle Assessment of Wild Alaska Pollock Final ISO LCA Report |url=https://www.alaskapollock.org/media/2246/final-report.pdf |publisher=Quantis |pages=42–52}}
= Pollock roe =
{{main|Pollock roe}}
File:Alaska pollock roe Russia.jpg
Pollock roe is a popular culinary ingredient in Korea, Japan, and Russia. In Korea, the roe is called {{Transliteration|ko|myeongnan}} ({{lang|ko|명란}}, literally 'Alaska pollock's roe'), and the salted roe is called {{Transliteration|ko|myeongnan-jeot}} ({{lang|ko|명란젓}}, literally 'pollock roe jeotgal{{'}}). The food was introduced to Japan after World War II, and since has been called {{Transliteration|ja|mentai-ko}} ({{lang|ja|明太子}}) in Japanese. A milder, less spicy version is usually called {{Transliteration|ja|tarako}} ({{lang|ja|鱈子}}, literally 'cod's roe'), which is also the Japanese name for pollock roe itself. In Russia, pollock roe is consumed as a sandwich spread. The product, resembling liquid paste due to the small size of eggs and oil added, is sold canned.
= Use as food in Korea =
File:Hwangtae (Gadus chalcogrammus).jpg
Alaska pollock is considered the "national fish" of Korea.{{Cite news|url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2016/10/10/0200000000AKR20161010084800030.HTML|title=국민생선 명태가 돌아온다...세계최초 '완전양식' 성공|last=정|first=빛나|date=11 October 2016|newspaper=Yonhap|language=ko|trans-title=Return of the national fish: the first success in the world in completely controlled culture of Alaska pollock|access-date=10 January 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.viva100.com/main/view.php?key=20170105010001584|title=동태·북어·노가리, 겨울엔 황태·코다리로... '국민생선' 제철만났네|last=박|first=효주|date=6 January 2017|newspaper=Bridgenews|language=ko|trans-title=Dongtae, bugeo, and nogari; as hwangtae and kodari in winter... the 'national fish' is in season|access-date=7 January 2016}} The Korean name of the fish, {{Transliteration|ko|myeongtae}} ({{Lang|ko|명태,明太}}), has also spread to some neighbouring countries: it is called {{Transliteration|ru|mintay}} ({{lang|ru|минтай}}) in Russia and its roe is called {{Transliteration|ja|mentaiko}} ({{lang|ja|明太子}}) in Japan, although the Japanese name for the fish itself is {{Transliteration|ja|suketōdara}} ({{lang|ja|介党鱈}}). In Korea, {{Transliteration|ko|myeongtae}} is called thirty-odd additional names, including {{Transliteration|ko|saengtae}} ({{Lang|ko|생태}}, fresh), {{Transliteration|ko|dongtae}} ({{Lang|ko|동태}}, frozen), {{Transliteration|ko|bugeo}} ({{Lang|ko|북어}}, dried), {{Transliteration|ko|hwangtae}} ({{Lang|ko|황태}}, dried in winter with repeated freezing and thawing), {{Transliteration|ko|nogari}} ({{Lang|ko|노가리}}, dried young), and {{Transliteration|ko|kodari}} ({{Lang|ko|코다리}}, half-dried young).
Koreans have been eating Alaska pollock since the Joseon era. One of the earliest mentions is from Seungjeongwon ilgi (Journal of the Royal Secretariat), where a 1652 entry stated: "The management administration should be strictly interrogated for bringing in pollock roe instead of cod roe."{{Cite news|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3009090|title=A hit abroad, pollock roe is rallying at home|last=Cha|first=Sang-eun|date=12 September 2015|newspaper=Korea Joongang Daily|access-date=10 January 2017}} Alaska pollocks were the most commonly caught fish in Korea in 1940, when more than 270,000 tonnes were caught from the Sea of Japan.{{Cite web|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Index?contents_id=E0018416|title=명태|last=박|first=구병|website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|publisher=Academy of Korean Studies|language=ko|trans-title=myeongtae|access-date=10 January 2017}} It outnumbers the current annual consumption of Alaska pollock in South Korea, estimated at 260,000 tonnes in 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1041694/South-Korea-Facing-Pollock-Shortage-Aims-to-Rebuild-Imports-and-Trade-Ties-to-Russia|title=South Korea Facing Pollock Shortage, Aims to Rebuild Imports and Trade Ties to Russia|last=Gergen|first=Eugene|date=21 November 2016|newspaper=SeafoodNews|access-date=10 January 2017}} Nowadays, however, Alaska pollock consumption in South Korea rely heavily on import from Russia, due to rises in sea water temperatures.{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2012/01/144_103202.html|title=PyeongChang: birthplace of yellow dried pollack|last=Lee|first=Hyo-sik|date=19 January 2012|newspaper=The Korea Times|access-date=10 January 2017}} In 2019, South Korea imposed a total ban on pollock fishing "to help replenish depleted stocks" of the fish.{{cite web |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190115002800320 |title=S. Korea to impose year-round fishing ban on pollock |date=2019-01-15 |website=Yonhap News Agency |access-date=2019-08-12}}
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/walleye_pollock.htm NOAA NMFS: U.S. Seafood Facts]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071023120420/http://www.eurofish.dk/indexSub.php?id=3438 FISHINFOnetwork Market Report 04/07]
- [http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=318 FishBase: Alaska Pollock]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140717031704/http://www.fisherieswiki.org/species/show/3 Alaska pollock fishery profiles] Status of these fisheries, summarised on FisheriesWiki
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Category:Fish described in 1814
Category:Fish of the Pacific Ocean