Biology and distribution

The cod can grow quite large; the largest individual measured in Icelandic waters was 186 cm long and 17 years old. Common size in catches is much smaller, or in the range of 45 to 85 cm long in most fishing gear. This corresponds to roughly 4 to 7 year old and 1 to 4 kg fish. Gillnets are the exceptions, as they are used to selectively target much larger fish, or mostly in the size range of 75 to 105 cm. Growth is quite variable, both between years and areas. In general, the cod grows slower in the colder northern Icelandic waters than in the warmer southern. Annual variation in growth can mostly be explained by the stock size of its main prey, the capelin. In general, three year old cod are about 1 kg and in the size range of 30 to 40 cm long, while 10 year old cod are around 10 kg and in the size range of 100 cm. However, variation is large and, especially, cod in the colder waters grow much slower.

Cod. Fishing grounds in 2007 (tonnes/nm2). All gear combined. Dark areas indicate highest catches.

Source: The Marine research Insittute