Pacific cod

Throughout its habitat, the pacific cod is particularly often observed in the Kamchatka coastal water. Maximum occurrence is observed in the waters with temperature from zero to 4 ?С, which accounts for frank seasonal bathymetrical distribution, with migrations along the coast being limited. The pacific cod is a big and fast growing fish. Its length may reach 115-120 cm, and weight – 18-20 kg, the biggest specimen are commonly met near South-East Kamchatka. The catch mainly contains specimens 50-80 cm long, weighing 2-5 kg.
The maximum registered age is 15 years. The major mart of nearly 50% of the catch is composed of specimens at the age of 3-6 years, the fish older than 8 years occurs quite rarely. The pacific cod reaches pubescence at the age of 6 years, when it is 70 cm long.
Spawning takes place in winter and spring: January-May, the climax is reached in February-April. Spawning period dates shift to the spring (March-April) in western part of the Bering Sea and north-west of Kamchatka coast. For reproduction, the pacific cod runs from the coast to the upper part of the mainland slope, where it gathers to form pre-spawning and spawning colonies. A big pacific cod is an active predator eating intensively walleye pollock, herring, capelin and squid, though it may also prey upon bottom invertebrates (crabs, shrimps, worms).