Gadus morhua
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Atlantic cod populations have experienced severe declines due to intensive commercial fishing that has exceeded sustainable levels for decades. Climate change is altering ocean temperatures and currents, affecting cod distribution and spawning success, while also impacting their primary prey species. Habitat degradation from bottom trawling has damaged critical spawning and nursery grounds on continental shelves.
Habitat
Atlantic cod inhabit cold marine waters of the North Atlantic, typically found on continental shelves and slopes at depths ranging from shallow coastal areas to 600 meters. They prefer temperatures between 0-20°C and are commonly associated with rocky bottoms, though they also utilize sandy and muddy substrates for feeding and spawning.