Northern Wolffish

Species at Risk Status: Threatened

Where do they live?

This fish is found across the North Atlantic Ocean from north of Russia to the Scotian Shelf, off Nova Scotia. It favors open continental-shelf water that is cold and lives at depths between 400 and 1000 metres. This fish prefers a rocky or muddy sea floor but is found over all bottom types. They spend their time swimming in the water column as well as on the bottom of the ocean.

What do they look like?

The northern wolffish is thick and heavyset, with a large head and teeth at the front of the jaw that are smaller and sharper than the other two wolffish species found in Atlantic Canada. The shape and size of its mouth and teeth allow it to capture moving prey. It is never retained by fishers for food because of its watery, jelly-like flesh. It can grow to 145 centimetres in length and almost 20 kilograms in weight. It has a more uniform body colour than the other wolffish species, ranging from grey to dark chocolate, and sometimes with a light violet sheen.

What do they eat?

Northern wolffish eat pelagic (moving) fish and invertebrate species although they also include some benthic (bottom dwelling) organisms in their diet.

What is their life cycle?

In summer, mature females lay up to 30,000 extremely large eggs in a nest on the sea floor. Adult northern wolffish are observed to make limited movements and are non-migratory. Their growth is relatively slow and it may take up to five years for the northern wolffish to mature.

Why is it at risk?

The population of this species from the Grand Banks to Labrador Shelf declined by more than 90 per cent during the late 1970s early 1990s. While not a direct target of commercial fisheries, it is often caught incidentally in other fisheries. It does not have commercial value and is discarded, but some may not survive. Bottom trawling may also disrupt their environment.

What's being done?

The northern wolffish is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). A recovery team for the northern and spotted wolffishes has been formed and a Recovery Strategy and Plan is being developed for both species. The strategy seeks to improve the status of the fish through an understanding of the life history of wolffish, potential sources of harm, and implementing management measures such as live release of captured wolffish. The plan also includes habitat stewardship and educational activities designed to involve the stakeholders and inform the public.