It is a semi-pelagic schooling fish widely distributed in the North Pacific, with largest concentrations found in the eastern Bering Sea.

[17] They are a relatively fast-growing and short-lived species, currently representing a major biological component of the Bering Sea ecosystem.

The storms stir up nutrients, and this results in phytoplankton being plentiful for longer, which in turn allows more pollock hatchlings to survive.

During the winter, when food is scarce, foraging can be costly due to the fact that longer hunting time increases the risk of meeting a predator.

The larger young pollocks have no need to hunt during the winter because they have a higher capacity for energy storage, while smaller fish do not, and have to continue foraging, putting them at greater risk.

To maximize their chances of survival, large pollock increase their calorie intake in autumn to gain weight, while smaller ones focus solely on growing in size.

Originally, the change in depth was attributed to the amount of light or water temperature, but in fact, it follows the movement of food species.

[3] Very small populations of fish genetically identical to Gadus chalcogrammus are found in the Barents Sea waters of northern Norway and Russia.

[27] The initial specification as an own species by Koefoed was based on two specimens landed in Berlevåg, northern Norway, in 1932 (hence the Norwegian name, Berlevågfisk).

Based on morphological differences, Koefoed considered Theragra finnmarchica a new species, related to but separate from the Alaska pollock.

All specimens were large (465–687 mm (18+1⁄4–27 in) in total length) and caught in the coastal waters between Vesterålen in the west and Varangerfjord in the east.

An analysis of a much larger sample size (44 T. finnmarchica and 20 T. chalcogramma) using both genetic and morphological methods led to similar conclusions.

These analyses also suggest that T. finnmarchica is a near relative of the Atlantic cod, and that both Alaska and Norway pollock should be moved to genus Gadus.

Alaska pollock is the world's second most important fish species, after the Peruvian anchoveta, in terms of total catch.

[33] Alaska pollock landings are the largest of any single fish species in the U.S, with the average annual Eastern Bering Sea catch between 1979 and 2022 being 1.26 million metric tons.

[35][36] Each year's quota is adjusted based on stock assessments conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center to prevent overfishing.

The product, resembling liquid paste due to the small size of eggs and oil added, is sold canned.

[64] Nowadays, however, Alaska pollock consumption in South Korea rely heavily on import from Russia, due to rises in sea water temperatures.