There is no targeted fishery on pollock; it is bycatch in several fisheries. There is therefore little known about the stock of pollock in most European waters. The fishing pressure is largely unknown. The species is not endangered, but moderately vulnerable to fishing pressure.
Fishing with gillnets is generally selective and does little to no damage to the seabed. There is however a risk of bycatch of endangered shark and ray species and sea mammals. In the North Sea there is less of a problem with the bycatch than in other areas.
The fishery management in European waters is reasonably effective, but there are no quotas for pollock and there are no targeted measures.