The North Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) is on of 59 species of the family Gadidae. Since the discovery of the New World, the North Atlantic Cod has been the dominant commercial fishery species of the Northwest Atlantic.
             This particular species of Cod have three fins on their back, and two fins on the underside near the tale. The North Atlantic Cod is a bottom dwelling fish that inhabits cold waters. They are capable of living up to 22 years. Most adult Cod range from 2-3 feet in length and 5-25 pounds. But cod up to 6 feet and 212 pounds have been recorded. They are capable of living up to 22 years. The Cod is a major food fish, 2nd only to the herring. The North Atlantic Cod migrate in response to seasonal change in water temperature. Cod also migrate to search for food. Mature cod eat small fish, squid, and shellfish. Small cod usually feed on worms and small shrimp.
             Like most fish, the North Atlantic Cod have special times and places to lay eggs. The female cod normally lay their eggs between January and March. Some of the most important spawning grounds are found in offshore banks off of the coast of New England, along the coasts of Greenland and Iceland, Hamilton Bank and the Grand Bank of Newfoundland. Other traditional spots include George's Bank, Labrador, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and South Grand Bank. An adult female cod lays between 4 to 6 million eggs at a single spawning. These eggs are released into the water to become fertilized. They develop and grow without the help of parents. All but a handful of these million eggs will end up as food for other fish. Normally a deep-water fish but they come into shallower water to spawn.
             The water temperature plays an important part in the North Atlantic Cod's reproductive process. The cod, like most species of fish, have their own favorite temperature range for spawning. Eggs at 32F will hatch in approximately 40 days and eggs at 41F. If ...