Ling

Ling or Common Ling (Molva molva) is a large member of the family Lotidae, a group of cod-like fishes. It is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean, and is commercially fished, primarily by Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the United Kingdom.

Description

The ling is a long, slender fish with a small head and a pointed snout. The body is round in cross-section and somewhat flattened on the underside. The scales are small and smooth. The color is variable, usually being either dark brown or black, but sometimes greenish. The belly is white. The ling can grow to a length of 2 meters and a weight of 30 kg.

Distribution and habitat

The ling is a demersal fish that lives on the continental shelf and upper slopes, from 100 to 600 meters deep, but it can sometimes be found down to 1000 meters. It is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean, from the Bay of Biscay to the Arctic Circle, and from Newfoundland to Greenland.

Diet

The ling is a predator, feeding on a variety of organisms such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Commercial fishing

The ling is commercially fished, primarily by Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the United Kingdom. It is caught mainly by trawling, but also by longlining. The flesh is white and firm, and is sold fresh, smoked, or salted.

See also

• List of fish in the North Atlantic
• Commercial fishing

Ling Resources
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