Haddock & Pollock

Haddock
Haddock
Pollock
Pollock

These two codfishes have similar-sounding names, looks, and habits. Both are much more likely to be found schooling in open water around the upper reaches of offshore wrecks and reefs than other bottom-hugging cod types.

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus has a black shoulder spot and a high triangular dorsal fin, while Pollock Pollachius virens has more rounded fins and no spot. Pollock is the larger of the two, growing up to 70 lbs, although typically to 3 ft and 15 lbs, while Haddock is more typically 2 ft and 5-10 lbs. Both are good eating, although Haddock is considered the better of the two.

Schooling Pollock
Schooling Pollock

Blue Shark

Prionace glauca

Size:
to 11 ft,
reportedly to 21ft

Habitat:
open ocean

Notes:
dangerous

A fast-swimming oceanic shark, these are colored vivid blue in life, but quickly fade to gray in death. The Blue shark is described as a persistent and dangerous stalker and is often found in great numbers. This is the shark most likely seen in caged shark dives off Rhode Island and is probably the commonest shark in our offshore waters during the summer months. Other identifying features of the Blue shark are the extremely long pectoral fins and relatively slim body ( compared to those below ) with very unequal upper and lower tail lobes.

Printed from njscuba.net