A codfish (usually shortened to just cod) is a large fish that lives in cold ocean waters, especially in the North Atlantic. Cod have grayish or greenish bodies, white bellies, and a distinctive whisker-like barbel hanging from their chin that helps them find food on the ocean floor.

For centuries, cod was one of the most important fish in the world. European fishermen crossed the Atlantic to catch cod off the coasts of Newfoundland and New England long before those places became famous for anything else. Dried and salted cod could last for months without spoiling, making it crucial for feeding sailors on long voyages and communities far from the ocean. Entire wars were fought over fishing rights in the best cod waters.

Cod remains popular today in fish and chips, fish sticks, and many other dishes. The fish has mild, flaky white meat that people around the world enjoy. However, overfishing nearly wiped out cod populations in some areas, showing how even an abundant resource can disappear if we're not careful about how we use it.