Ling

Molva Molva (Latin)

Lange (N)
Linque (F)
Leng (D)

SEASON
All year round.
SIZE
Up to 180 cm.

The fish/fishery
The species was given its Norwegian name, Lange, because it has a long, narrow body. Ling are found at depths of 60 to 1000 m, but are most common at depths of 300 to 400 m. As a rule, only young fish are found in water shallower than 100 m.
In Norway, ling are most plentiful between the Stad peninsula in West Norway and the Vesterålen archipelago in the North. Young fish tend to stay in deep waters near the coast. From there, they migrate out to the spawning grounds in the North Sea and in the area north of the British Isles.
Ling are mostly caught using long lines along the edge of the continental shelf, but ling have also been caught in deep fjords.
Fishing for ling continues all year, as well as a bycatch when fishing for other  species.

Fishing methods
Ground lines, ground nets.

Use
Ling has white, tasty, relatively firm flesh. The taste may remind you of cod, and it can be prepared in the same way as cod with good results.

Nutritional content
Ling is a good source of protein and also contains selenium.
For more nutritional data, cf. www.nifes.no/sjomatdata.