A fish species of the cod family that is widespread and common in the northeast Atlantic. Blue whiting are most abundant in the deep waters off the continental shelf where they live at depths of 200-600 metres. Juveniles in particular also occur on shelf seas in depths greater than 200 m. Blue whiting is rather small with most of the adults measuring 24-32 cm in length, although in unexploited local populations individuals larger than 40 cm are not uncommon.