Top Polar Cod Fishing Countries

The polar cod (Boreogadus saida) is a small, cold-water fish found throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, playing a crucial ecological role as a primary food source for marine mammals and birds. Commercial fishing for polar cod is relatively limited compared to other cod species, due to its small size and remote habitat, but it is harvested primarily by Russia and Norway, the two leading countries with access to the Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean. Russia conducts the largest polar cod fisheries, particularly in the Kara and Barents Seas, where the species is targeted for use as fishmeal and animal feed. Norway also harvests polar cod, mainly as bycatch in other Arctic fisheries or for local consumption. While polar cod fishing remains a niche industry, it is closely monitored due to the species' importance in Arctic food webs and the increasing pressures from climate change and expanding industrial activities in the region.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.