The population of cod in the northeast Arctic is subject to overfishing and is being overfished. There is a management plan, which is responsive to stock status to an extent, but it has not protected the stock from overexploitation. Most Arctic cod catches are by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed. There are measures to protect habitats and reduce bycatch in this fishery. However, there is unsustainable bycatch of endangered golden redfish, which is of significant concern.Rating last updated August 2025.

Data surrounding Rockall cod is limited. There is concern for both biomass and fishing pressure. The Rockall cod stock is at a very low level, although recent data indicate that it may be starting to increase. Landings have been above the advice since 2016, and fishing pressure is currently unknown related to reference points, therefore there is concern for fishing pressure. Landings of cod from this area in the 1980s-90s were relatively high, often between 1,500-2,000 tonnes. However since 2004 the landings have been consistently below 100 tonnes. This dramatic decline in landings is likely indicative of a depleted stock. Total Allowable Catches and landings are above recommended limits, although effort in the fishery has decreased since 2010. The main management measures relate to catch limits, which have been set significantly higher than scientific advice in recent years. Management is therefore not following scientific advice. Most Rockall cod are caught by otter trawls as bycatch, which is likely to cause some damage to the seabed. Bycatch is moderate and may include vulnerable species such as blue and flapper skate.Rating last updated August 2024.

The Faroe Plateau cod stock overfished and subject to overfishing. Some management measures are in place and a management plan was introduced in 2021. However, catches have exceeded advice in recent years. Most Faroe Plateau cod is caught by longlining. This method has a bycatch of northern fulmars, and more data is needed to fully understand the impact on the population.Rating last updated December 2025.

The Faroe Plateau cod stock overfished and subject to overfishing. Some management measures are in place and a management plan was introduced in 2021. However, catches have exceeded advice in recent years. Some Faroe Plateau cod is caught by jigging. This is a low impact method that is not thought to have bycatch or habitat impacts.Rating last updated December 2025.

The Faroe Plateau cod stock overfished and subject to overfishing. Some management measures are in place and a management plan was introduced in 2021. However, catches have exceeded advice in recent years. Some Faroe Plateau cod is caught by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed. Bycatch is moderate and may include vulnerable species. Monitoring of bycatch is poor and better data is needed.Rating last updated December 2025.

Icelandic cod is abundant and not subject to overfishing. There is a management plan in place, which has successfully reduced fishing pressure. Some Icelandic cod is caught by longlining. This method can have a bycatch of vulnerable species, including spotted wolffish. All Icelandic cod landed by the Icelandic fleet is MSC certified. Certification is conditional on having a strategy to avoid bycatch, and better data to prove that it is not having a detrimental impact on Endangered, Threatened or Protected species.Rating last updated July 2023.

Icelandic cod is abundant and not subject to overfishing. There is a management plan in place, which has successfully reduced fishing pressure. Some cod is caught by gillnetting, which can have a bycatch of marine mammals and seabirds. All Icelandic cod landed by the Icelandic fleet is MSC certified. Certification is conditional on having a strategy to avoid bycatch, and better data to prove that it is not having a detrimental impact on Endangered, Threatened or Protected species.Rating last updated July 2023

Icelandic cod is abundant and not subject to overfishing. There is a management plan in place, which has successfully reduced fishing pressure. Most Icelandic cod is caught by longlining. This method can have a bycatch of vulnerable species, including spotted wolffish and beaked redfish. All Icelandic cod landed by the Icelandic fleet is MSC certified. Certification is conditional on having a strategy to avoid bycatch, and better data to prove that it is not having a detrimental impact on Endangered, Threatened or Protected species.Rating last updated July 2023

West Greenland inshore cod is being overfished, but the southern stock component is abundant. Few appropriate management measures are in place. There is no management plan and catch limits have substantially exceeded scientific advice. Most inshore west Greenland cod is caught by traps known as poundnets, which are a relatively low-impact way of fishing.Rating last updated July 2023

This rating is under review.

The population of cod in the northeast Arctic is subject to overfishing and is being overfished. There is a management plan, which is responsive to stock status to an extent, but it has not protected the stock from overexploitation. Most Arctic cod catches are by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed. There are measures to protect habitats and reduce bycatch in this fishery. However, there is unsustainable bycatch of endangered golden redfish, which is of significant concern.Rating last updated August 2025.

The population of cod in the northeast Arctic is subject to overfishing and is being overfished. There is a management plan, which is responsive to stock status to an extent, but it has not protected the stock from overexploitation. Some Arctic cod is caught by longlining. This method is thought oto have low levels of bycatch, but the impacts of the fishery are not fully understood. This rating covers MSC-certified longline Arctic cod fisheries only.Rating last updated August 2025.

West Greenland offshore cod is being overfished and is depleted. Few appropriate management measures are in place. There is no management plan and catch limits have substantially exceeded scientific advice. Most offshore west Greenland cod is caught by trawling, which is likely to cause some damage to the seabed.Rating last updated July 2023.

West Greenland inshore cod is being overfished, and the northern stock component is depleted. Few appropriate management measures are in place. There is no management plan and catch limits have substantially exceeded scientific advice. Most inshore west Greenland cod is caught by traps known as poundnets, which are a relatively low-impact way of fishing.Rating last updated July 2023

The northwestern substock of Northern Shelf cod is abundant, but fishing pressure is too high. Management has not historically been appropriate for protecting and recovering cod stocks in this area. Most cod catches are by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed and bycatch other species.Rating last updated August 2024.

The Viking substock of Northern Shelf cod is overfished and fishing pressure is too high. Management has not historically been appropriate for protecting and recovering cod stocks in this area. Most cod catches are by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed. Bycatch is moderate and may include vulnerable species such as blue and flapper skate. There may also be bycatch of cod from the highly depleted Southern substock.Rating last updated August 2024.

Cod in East Greenland is very data limited. For this reason, we consider there to be concern for the biomass and fishing pressure. Few appropriate management measures are in place. There is a management plan but, historically, catch limits have substantially exceeded scientific advice. Most East Greenland cod is caught by traps known as poundnets. This is a generally low impact method of fishing.Rating last updated May 2024.

Western Baltic cod is overfished and subject to overfishing, although the stock status seems to be improving. In 2020 the biomass of the stock remains below, but close to, MSY Btrigger, and is at the highest level since 2008. The stock has been subject to overfishing since the 1980s, although fishing pressure (F) has been declining since 2013. In 2019, fishing pressure was above FMSY but below Flim, and the lowest for over 30 years. Management measures are in place, and catch limits have followed scientific advice for the last two years. However, management has not yet succeeded in bringing fishing pressure and stock size to their respective targets. There has been a recent increase in unreported catches owing to restrictions on targeted fishing in some areas, while a closure to protect spawning cod has recently ceased. Recreational catches are significant, adding to the fishing pressure on this stock. This stock is caught by demersal trawling and gillnets. Trawling can have benthic impacts, while gillnetting can bycatch numerous vulnerable species, including harbour porpoise and seabirds.Rating last updated: June 2020

Western Baltic cod is overfished and subject to overfishing, but is in a better state than Eastern cod and the stock status seems to be improving. In 2020 the spawning stock biomass remains below, but close to, MSY Btrigger. Management measures are in place, and catch limits have followed scientific advice for the last two years. However, fishing pressure and stock size remain above and below their respective targets. There has been a recent increase in unreported catches owing to restrictions on targeted fishing in some areas, while a closure to protect spawning cod has recently ceased. Recreational catches are significant, adding to the fishing pressure on this stock. This stock is caught by demersal trawling and gillnets. Trawling can have benthic impacts, while gillnetting can bycatch numerous vulnerable species, including harbour porpoise and seabirds.Rating last updated: June 2020