1. Know Local Regulations and Species Identification
Before you head out on the water, make sure you are fully informed about local fishing regulations. Pollack are often confused with other species like cod or coalfish, so it’s essential to correctly identify them. Pollack typically have a greenish-brown or golden hue with a pale belly and a characteristic dark line along the lateral line. They have a long, slim body and a lower jaw that protrudes beyond the upper jaw.
Always check the minimum landing size (MLS) regulations in your area—pollack often have a MLS of 30 cm. As pollack reach maturity around 50cm, we recommend releasing any fish below this size to allow them the chance to breed.
2. Only Take What You Need
Pollack are an important recreational species for the table, but sustainability is key. Be mindful of how much you’re catching. Take only what you need for personal consumption, and avoid overfishing to do your bit to support the recovery of pollack.
3. FISH THE SEASONS
Pollack spawn from December to March, and during this time, they are particularly vulnerable. To help rebuild pollack stocks, consider reducing fishing pressure during the spawning season, especially on larger fish, by fishing for other species during that time, or releasing any pollack that you do catch. This will give the species the best chance to reproduce and recover.
4. Release Pollack to Recover the Fishery
If you catch a pollack below the legal size, or if you don’t need the fish, try your best to release it carefully. Pollack are fast-growing and have a relatively short lifespan, so releasing them quickly and safely maximises their chances of survival.
To improve the survival of released pollack, use descending devices when releasing fish from depth to reduce the risk of barotrauma—a condition caused by rapid ascent from deeper waters.
Handle pollack carefully to avoid injury—use wet hands or fish-friendly gloves, and never lift them by the gills. If you’re using hooks, opt for barbless ones, as they make the release process smoother and less stressful. If a fish is deeply hooked, cutting the line is preferable to removing the hook.
5. Respect the
ocean
Pollack are often found in rocky, snag-prone areas, which means anglers should take care to minimise tackle loss. Use the appropriate gear to avoid damaging the fish or contributing to marine litter. Remember, Anglers Against Litter and the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme are key initiatives to get involved with.
DATA,
DATA ,
DATA
Help conservation efforts by participating in citizen science programs like the Pollack FISP or the Sea Angling Diary. Contributing data on your catches, including size and location, helps researchers monitor pollack populations and advise on effective fisheries management that protects our fishery.
7. Stay Informed and Adapt to Changes
Pollack populations are dynamic and can fluctuate. Stay up to date on the latest research and advice, and be open to adapting your fishing methods to reflect the most current sustainability practices. The Angling Trust provides updates on the latest developments through our Sea Angling Facebook group and website.
WHY IT MATTERS
By signing up to the Pollack Pact, you’re making a commitment to responsible angling. These guidelines are more than just recommendations—they represent a collective effort by anglers to ensure the recovery of pollack populations and the long-term health of our fisheries.
Pollack are an important part of our fishing heritage and the future of our sector, so it’s up to all of us to ensure they thrive in our waters once more. Adopting sustainable practices, such as catch and release, reducing tackle loss, and keeping only what you need, is essential to rebuilding the fishery.
