Welcome   Sponsored By
Subscribe | Register | Advertise | Newsletter | About us | Contact us
   


Photo: Lisbeth Nikolaisen Drotz, Norges Råfisklag, the Norwegian Raw Fish Association

What is the Difference Between Cod and Skrei?

Click on the flag for more information about Norway NORWAY
Friday, January 24, 2025, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

You’ve likely heard the terms "cod" and "skrei" used interchangeably and wondered, what’s the difference? Simply put: all skrei are cod, but not all cod are skrei.

The Norwegian Raw Fish Association (Norges Råfisklag) provides a straightforward explanation. Cod accounts for an impressive 50% of the value of all wild-caught seafood delivered in their region, spanning from Finnmark to Nordmøre. Most of this cod is caught between January and April by both small and large fishing boats, creating significant economic activity both at sea and onshore.

Cod holds a special place in Norway’s history, serving as the country’s most important export since the 9th century. Fun fact: proceeds from the sale of stockfish even helped finance the construction of Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim!

Skrei vs. Coastal Cod

Broadly speaking, cod can be divided into two main populations: skrei and coastal cod.

  • Skrei: The skrei is a migratory cod that undertakes an impressive journey every winter, swimming thousands of kilometers from the Barents Sea to the Norwegian coast to spawn.
  • Coastal Cod: Unlike its migratory counterpart, coastal cod remain in the same coastal areas year-round, living and spawning locally.

As young fry, skrei are carried by ocean currents to the Barents Sea, where they mature and grow. Once they reach sexual maturity, skrei embark on their long migration back to the Norwegian coast to spawn. This incredible phenomenon, often referred to as the "great skrei influx," occurs between January and April, when millions of skrei flood the waters from Finnmark to Lofoten.

This grueling journey makes skrei unique. The thousands of kilometers they swim develop strong, elastic muscles, resulting in exceptionally firm and high-quality meat—comparable to that of a top athlete.

Skrei’s Historical Significance

The name "skrei" originates from the Old Norse word skreið, meaning “fish that strides or wanders.” For over a thousand years, the arrival of skrei has been a vital event for coastal communities in Norway. It has historically provided essential food, trade opportunities, and work, making it a cornerstone of Norwegian culture and economy.

This seasonal phenomenon not only supports local livelihoods but also creates the basis for unique culinary traditions and opportunities. Right now, as the skrei season begins, you’ll find skrei and related delicacies—like cod tongues, liver, and roe—at fish counters in grocery stores.

Interesting Facts About Skrei

  • A Fish of Many Names: Cod, skrei, Norwegian Arctic cod, Northeast Arctic cod, and Gadus morhua are all names for this iconic fish.

  • Joint Management: Norway manages the cod stock collaboratively with Russia through the Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission, as the stock migrates naturally between both countries.

  • Sustainable Practices:

    • The cod stock is closely monitored by scientists and authorities, with fishing quotas set based on comprehensive data.
    • Since the late 1980s, Norway has regulated cod fishing by allocating quotas to approved fishermen and boats. This ensures the sustainability of cod stocks for future generations, even if quotas are occasionally reduced.
    • Thanks to these efforts, Norway today boasts the world’s largest cod stock.
  • Environmental Influences: Cod stocks are influenced by natural factors such as access to food, sea temperature, and ocean currents.

Whether you call it cod or skrei, this fish represents a remarkable combination of nature’s resilience, history, and culinary excellence. Skrei season is a celebration of tradition, sustainability, and premium quality—a true testament to Norway’s dedication to the sea.

[email protected]
www.seafood.media


 Print


Click to know how to advertise in FIS
MORE NEWS



Lenguaje
FEATURED EVENTS
  
TOP STORIES
Trump's New Tariffs Threaten U.S. Seafood Industry Amid Controversial Trade Moves
United States President Donald Trump has ignited controversy by imposing a sweeping 25% tariff on seafood and other imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% duty on Chinese goods. Washington, D.C.&nbs...
Vietnam's Surimi Exports Show Late-Year Rebound, But Overall 2024 Figures Remain Down
Viet Nam Enterprises are facing difficulties in the lack of domestic raw materials and obstacles with imported raw materials due to regulations related to IUU Vietnam's fish cake and surimi exports saw contin...
EU publishes annual statistics of catches and days at sea for the first time
European Union For the first time, the EU publishes statistics of total allowable catches (TACs) and fishing days at sea or fishing effort. TACs and fishing days are the two main management measures the EU uses und...
Russian Fishing Fleet Expansion: Launch of Large Freezer Trawler 'Viktor Gavrilov'
Russia Fed. As part of the first stage of Russia’s investment quota program, the Viktor Gavrilov, a state-of-the-art freezer trawler, has been launched. Commissioned by the Lenin Fishing Collective Farm,...
 

Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Nichirei Corporation - Headquarters
Pesquera El Golfo S.A.
Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A
Wärtsilä Corporation - Wartsila Group Headquarters
ITOCHU Corporation - Headquarters
BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH+Co.KG (Head Office)
Inmarsat plc - Global Headquarters
Marks & Spencer
Tesco PLC (Supermarket) - Headquarters
Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd. - Group Headquarters
I&J - Irvin & Johnson Holding Company (Pty) Ltd.
AquaChile S.A. - Group Headquarters
Pesquera San Jose S.A.
Nutreco N.V. - Head Office
CNFC China National Fisheries Corporation - Group Headquarters
W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V.
SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters
Icicle Seafoods, Inc
Starkist Seafood Co. - Headquearters
Trident Seafoods Corp.
American Seafoods Group LLC - Head Office
Marel - Group Headquarters
SalMar ASA - Group Headquarters
Sajo Industries Co., Ltd
Hansung Enterprise Co.,Ltd.
BIM - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (An Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
COPEINCA ASA - Corporacion Pesquera Inca S.A.C.
Chun Cheng Fishery Enterprise Pte Ltd.
VASEP - Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers
Gomes da Costa
Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
NISSUI - Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. - Group Headquarters
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization - Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Headquarter)
Hagoromo Foods Co., Ltd.
Koden Electronics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S - Headquarters
BVQI - Bureau Veritas Quality International (Head Office)
UPS - United Parcel Service, Inc. - Headquarters
Brim ehf (formerly HB Grandi Ltd) - Headquarters
Hamburg Süd Group - (Headquearters)
Armadora Pereira S.A. - Grupo Pereira Headquarters
Costa Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Headquarters)
Mowi ASA (formerly Marine Harvest ASA) - Headquarters
Marubeni Europe Plc -UK-
Findus Ltd
Icom Inc. (Headquarter)
WWF Centroamerica
Oceana Group Limited
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. - Headquarters
Friosur S.A. - Headquarters
Cargill, Incorporated - Global Headquarters
Benihana Inc.
Leardini Pescados Ltda
CJ Corporation  - Group Headquarters
Greenpeace International - The Netherlands | Headquarters
David Suzuki Foundation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada -Communications Branch-
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd - Headquarters
NOREBO Group (former Ocean Trawlers Group)
Natori Co., Ltd.
Carrefour Supermarket - Headquarters
FedEx Corporation - Headquarters
Cooke Inc. - Group Headquarters
AKBM - Aker BioMarine ASA
Seafood Choices Alliance -Headquarter-
Austevoll Seafood ASA
Walmart | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supermarket) - Headquarters
New Japan Radio Co.Ltd (JRC) -Head Office-
Gulfstream JSC
Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide Headquarters
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Headquarter)
Genki Sushi Co.,Ltd -Headquarter-
Iceland Pelagic ehf
AXA Assistance Argentina S.A.
Caterpillar Inc. - Headquarters
Tiger Brands Limited
SeaChoice
National Geographic Society
AmazonFresh, LLC - AmazonFresh

Copyright 1995 - 2025 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved.   DISCLAIMER