Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Haddock populations have declined significantly due to intensive commercial fishing pressure, particularly from bottom trawling operations that target this commercially valuable species. Overfishing has reduced spawning stock biomass below sustainable levels in several key fishing areas. Climate change is altering ocean temperatures and affecting the distribution of zooplankton that juvenile haddock depend upon for survival.
Habitat
Haddock inhabit the continental shelf waters of the North Atlantic, typically at depths of 40-300 meters over sandy, muddy, or rocky bottoms. They prefer cooler waters between 2-10°C and are commonly found in areas with strong currents that support abundant benthic invertebrate communities.
