Offshore Whiting, Cod 315 



Offshore Whiting 

 Merluccius albidus (Mitchill) 



The Offshore Whiting was but recently discovered along 

 our eastern coast in depths from 400 feet down to more 

 than 3,600 feet. 



Cod 

 Gadus callarias Linnaeus 



Color: Variable; back and upper sides various shades of 



gray, green, brown, or red; belly white tinged with the 



general body color. 



Distribution: Occurs on both sides of the North Atlantic. 



In the western Atlantic it ranges from western Greenland 



south to Virginia but is most abundant from Labrador to 



southern Massachusetts. 



Size: The largest fish recorded was over 6 feet long and 



weighed IIIVa pounds. Most fish caught are less than 75 



pounds. 



General Information: The Cod is found from the shallow, 



inshore waters down to depths of 1,500 feet or more. It 



lives mostly near the bottom but will rise to the surface 



while pursuing smaller fishes. Spawning occurs in winter 



and early spring. It has been estimated that a fish 4V3 feet 



long and weighing 51 pounds produces almost 9 million 



eggs at one spawning. The eggs are buoyant and hatch in 



about 2 weeks at a water temperature of 43 degrees. A 



