where the upper jaw overhangs the lower. Pollack can be impressive fish with their slim, muscular bodies and fast swimming bursts, but writing about them makes me go rather misty-eyed. In the early part of my diving life, one of my favourite and regular sights was of large pollack lurking beneath dense gatherings of sandeels and waiting for the right moment to strike up through the shoal at speed. I have not seen that at all in recent times.
Pollack populations have declined dramatically with overfishing, habitat damage and climate change all thought to have played a part. Commercial catches in the Celtic Sea and English Channel, for example, dropped by over 70 % in 20 years, and the main fishery was closed in 2024. Major projects to establish the causes of the decline and propose better management are thankfully underway.
Saithe are usually seen by divers far more around Scotland than further south,
Impressive shoal of large Saithe in a sea loch
sometimes in dense shoals. They look very similar to pollack as they swim by, but a good photo will show they have jaws of equal length and that their lateral line is straight rather than curving up over the pectoral fin like it does in pollack.
My most memorable sight of saithe hunting was of small ones harassing a dense shoal of sprat in the shallows of Weasel Loch near Eyemouth. We came across them at the start of the shore dive, barely having time to put our fins on before being captivated by the action. We eventually continued with the dive, which was pleasant enough but never matched the drama we had witnessed in kneedeep water! �
Pollack portrait, showing the codfish fin layout( 3 dorsal, 2 anal) and upward-curving lateral line that distinguishes them from Saithe
Paul’ s photos and video clips capturing UK marine life stories are on Instagram @ paulnaylormarinephoto
Shoals of Bib are common on wrecks, here on the Louis Sheid in South Devon
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