Increase in natural mortality of the Icelandscallop (Chlamys islandica) in West Icelandand collapse of the fishery in the early 2000s ...

• Main Authors: Eiríksson, Hrafnkell, Thorarinsdottir, Gudrun G., Kristmundsson, Árni
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: ASC 2010 - Theme session C 2024
• Subjects: Fisheries and aquaculture; Ecosystem observation, processes and dynamics; Reykjavík; Iceland; Subarctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.25068674.v1; https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/conference_contribution/Increase_in_natural_mortality_of_the_Icelandscallop_Chlamys_islandica_in_West_Icelandand_collapse_of_the_fishery_in_the_early_2000s/25068674/1

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.The Iceland scallop (Chlamys islandica) fishery started in Breidafjordur, western Iceland, in 1970 and was conducted until 2003 when a fishery closure was recommended by the Marine Research Institute, Reykjavík. The annual landings totalled ca. 9000 t from 1993 to 2000. Survey indices declined drastically between 2001 and 2008, resulting in indices in 2008 amounting to only 13% of the average for 1993–2000. The downward trend in the stock abundance is considered to be mainly owing to mass mortality, caused by an unknown apicomplexan parasite in adult scallops, with nearly 100% prevalence observed in larger shells (>60 mm shell height). The adductor muscles were most heavily infected and gonad development was hampered in infected individuals. The Iceland scallop is distributed within the subarctic transitional zone where maximum sea temperatures of 12–15°C have been recorded. In Iceland, the annual bottom sea temperature during the period ...