Caught as bycatch during the fishing of other demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish species by bottom trawling.
It is available all year round but is most commonly found in spring.
Cod was commonly used to make Sfinec tal-Bakkaljaw (Salt Cod Fritters) in old Maltese cuisine. The name Poor Cod probably comes from the fact that it was a readily available and cheap fish to buy.
Although the method used to catch the Mediterranean Poor Cod is considered to be damaging to the environment, it is caught as accidental bycatch and as a species is not heavily overfished. It is for this reason that we think you should Eat in Moderation.
