Alaska Pollock/ Walleye Pollock

Alaska Pollock also known as Walleye Pollock scientific name is “Gadus Chalcogrammus”. Previously, Alaska Pollock was known by a different scientific name but further research on the species revealed that it did not deserve its genus, rather the new naming places it on the same genus as Pacific, Greenland, and Atlantic cods as they share numerous similarities. Alaska Pollock is the most common Pollock found in the United States. Its wild fishery is the largest in terms of volume in the USA. Alaska Pollock is widely caught and it is typically found in the northern Pacific Ocean. It is harvested mid-water by trawlers as Pollock is a mid-water schooling fish species. There are no commercial aquaculture farms for this species (National Marine Fisheries Service, 2017).

     Bailey (2013) reveals that Alaska Pollock, a mild-flavored, white looking fish with a flaky texture is consumed in different forms such as fish sticks, frozen and frozen fillets, battered and breaded products, and Surimi products. I love Pollock specifically due to its Surimi products. Surimi is the main ingredient that is used to make traditional Japanese “kamaboko” products. Kamaboko products imitate shrimp, crab, and lobster dishes. I like Kamaboko products in seafood salads and stuffed entrees. I would thus recommend Alaska Pollock to other consumers, particularly its Surimi products. However, consumers can also consider its other use such as in mince or fillets that are used to make fish sticks and other products.

     Alaska Pollock is a very abundant and highly sustainable fish species. Many consumers consume wild Alaska Pollock without knowing as it is a major staple in many seafood products such as frozen fish sandwiches and fish fingers (Shoup, 2019, July 17). According to White (2016, October 31), Alaska Pollock is a super fish with numerous nutrients. It is high in protein, low in carbs, fat, and cholesterol. It is a superfood that rivals other superfoods and is ranked in the top 20 healthiest foods. Alaska Pollock is considered healthier than salmon, Atlantic Cod, and Pacific Cod because of its pristine habitat in Alaska’s waters. It has extremely low levels of contaminants including mercury which makes it safe for all people including pregnant women (Shoup, 2019, July 17).

According to Bailey (2013), population levels for Alaska Pollock are above target levels and fishing status is at recommended levels which ensures its sustenance. Because the species is caught using mid-water trawl nets that rarely make contact with the bottom of the ocean, there is a minimal interruption on its habitat. Thus, Alaska Pollock fishery is among the cleanest regarding incidental catch of other species at less than 1%.

                    References

1. Bailey, K. M. (2013). Billion-dollar fish: the untold story of Alaska pollock. University of Chicago Press.
2. National Marine Fisheries Service. (2017). Seafood Supply and Commercial Fisheries. Retrieved from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/fisheries-united-states-2017-report (Links to an external site.)
3. Shoup, M.E. (2019, July 17). Wild Alaska Pollock gains traction and recognition as a sustainable 'superfish'. Retrieved from https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2019/07/17/Wild-Alaska-Pollock-gains-traction-and-recognition-as-a-sustainable-superfish?utm_source=copyright&utm_medium=OnSite&utm_campaign=copyright (Links to an external site.)
4. White, C. (2016, October 31). NFI lists America’s top 10 favorite seafood species. Retrieved from https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/nfi-lists-america-s-top-10-favorite-seafood-species