Good Fish Guide
Common ling
(Molva molva)
Overview
Ling is the largest member of the gadoid or cod family. It is a demersal species found mainly on rocky bottoms. Spawning areas are Biscay, the slopes west of the British Isles and off the Faroes and Southern Iceland. They can reach up to 2m in length, 45kg in weight and can live to 25 years of age. Ling are found between 100 m and 1000 m depth but most commonly between 100 m and 400 m; younger fish are often found inhabiting the shallowest end of their depth range and older individuals found at greater depths, although these fish move into shallower water to spawn. An active predator, ling feeds on other fish species such as cod and herring and will also feed on lobsters and other invertebrates. Ling spawns in spring/summer, between April and July, in Scottish waters. Maturity (50%) occurs at lengths of 71 cm for females and 62 cm for males. Life history traits are in line with other members of the gadoid family and as such ling is less vulnerable to fishing mortality than typical deep-water species.
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