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groundfish

groundfish

1 5.2
A fish that lives near the sea bottom, like cod or flounder
  • noun
  • /ˈgraʊndˌfɪʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pescado de fondo
  • Cod and haddock are popular types of groundfish that are often found in restaurants.
  • groundfish fishery
  • groundfish stock
  • groundfish specie

Examples

  • The groundfish population in the area has been decreasing due to overfishing.

  • Many fishermen rely on groundfish such as flounder for their livelihoods.

  • Additional catch share programs, including one for West Coast groundfish, are in the planning stages.

    Academic text (2010)
  • A controversial catch share program for groundfish in the region was implemented in May 2010.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Removals are further restricted by limitations on the total catch of all groundfish species combined.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Target species are commercially important and generally targeted by the groundfish fishery.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The precarious state of New England groundfish resources could fuel this concern and exacerbate the issue.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Pacific whiting is also the most commercially valuable and abundant groundfish resource of the California Current.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Groundfish fisheries in the BSAI ecosystem are among the largest fisheries in the world.

    Academic text (2008)
  • While the number of vessels participating in the groundfish fishery gradually declined after 1980, it remains nearly twice the pre-MFCMA size.

    Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

bottom fish
vsgroundfish
1 4.6

A fish that lives near the sea floor, like cod or haddock

places stronger emphasis on commercial importance
bottom-dwelling fish
vsgroundfish
4.1

A fish that lives near the bottom of lakes, rivers, or the sea

is limited to sea bottom rather than all water bodies

Surface Forms

groundfish singular
groundfish plural

Morphology

groundfish = ground + fish (transparent) = ground + fish

Formed by straightforward compounding of 'ground' + 'fish' meaning fish associated with the (sea) ground, so the meaning follows directly from the components.

Etymology

Groundfish is simply made of ground and fish, so think of a fish on the 'ground' of the sea, the sea bottom. That's why groundfish means fish like cod, haddock, or flounder that live near the sea floor.