Biology and distribution

The blue ling is a medium to large sized, very long and slender codfish. Usual size in catches is 70 to 110 cm, but the largest individual caught in Icelandic waters measured 153 cm. It is found all around Iceland, but is much rarer in the colder waters north and east of the country. It is primarily a deep water fish, found in the depth range of 130 to 1500 m but mostly at a depth of between 300 and 800 m. It is found in European waters from Murmansk and into the Mediterranean Sea. It also occurs around the Faroe Islands, and has been reported in waters off southern Greenland and on the Grand Banks, off Canada.

Blue ling feeds primarily on other fishes, but also, to a lesser extent, on benthic invertebrates. Spawning takes place in deep waters off the south and west coasts, from February to April. Growth is rather slow and the fish reach sexual maturity at the age of 9 to 11 years, measuring 75 to 90 cm. The blue ling can reach 20 years of age.

Blue Ling fishing grounds in 2007 (tonnes/nm2). All gear combined. Dark areas indicate highest catches.

Source: The Marine research Insittute

The Ling can reach a very large size, the largest on records was 212 cm long. It occurs all around the country but is very rare in the colder waters north and east of Iceland. It is found over a wide depth range, spanning from 15 to 1000 m depth. Usually the younger fish are in shallower waters. It is found in European waters from northern Norway to the Mediterranean Sea. It also occurs around the Faroe Islands, and has been reported off southern Greenlandic waters and on the Grand Banks off Canada.

The ling has a large mouth with sharp teeth, a classic predator. It mostly eats other fishes such as herring, flatfishes, and other codfishes. It can also eat benthic invertebrates. Spawning takes place along the continental shelf break off south and west Iceland, in May and June. It reaches sexual maturity at the age of 5 to 8 years when it has reached 60 to 80 cm in length. It can reach at least 25 years of age.

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

Source: The Marine research Insittute