Cod is a whitefish belonging to the family Gadidae, genus Gadus. It is valued for its thick, white flesh, its low fat content and its soft, mild flavor making ideal for replacing other more popular staples such as chicken or beef. Cod live in the deep, cold waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts; they grow up to 3 feet long, although some have been known to grow as much as 6 feet in length. Cod have played a significant part in maritime trade since the time of the Vikings. The fish is eaten around the world, and is considered a delicacy in Norway and Portugal. Currently, the species is threatened by overfishing, which is why cod sustainability has become such an important topic of late.