Under the Sea

Atlantic cod inhabit nearly all North Atlantic Ocean waters.  Their territory runs from the south coast of Greenland, down south to the coast of North Carolina, and east all the way to the west coast of Europe.  A few important, large cod stocks are in the Northwest Atlantic, off the Labrador coast, and George’s Bank off the coast of Massachusetts.  Other stocks are in the Northeast Atlantic, specifically off the coast of Norway and Iceland.  Mature cod also make an annual migration from northern feeding grounds to spawning sites in the southern part of the Northern Atlantic.  Cod can inhabit water depths as shallow as 3 feet and as deep as 2000 feet, specifically due to their bodies’ ability to withstand sub-zero temperatures.  However, Atlantic cod are rarely found at depths more than 700 feet.  They prefer water depths of 200 to 450 feet.  Water temperature is also important in their life cycle, and they actually prefer colder temperatures, especially during their spawning times.  On the whole, cod will live in water temperatures of 34 to 46 degrees F.            

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