| Summary: | In 1970, 1971 and 1972 cruises were conducted in the Barents Sea during May and June. The main aim was to find fishable concentrations of Polar cod and to guide the Norwegian vessels fishing for this species. In 1970 only a small area, between 74º 00' N and 75º 40' N and 44° 00' E and 47° 10' E was investigated. Fairly dense concentrations of polar cod were found over most of this area. In 1971 a more extensive part of the eastern Barents Sea was investigated, and polar cod was mainly found in two areas: 1) ca. 73° 30' — 74° N, ca. 37° — 41° E, 2) ca. 73° - 74° N, ca. 45° -53° E. In May 1972 Polar cod was recorded in an area between ca. 72º - 73º30' N and ca 38º - 50º E but the concentrations were very scattered. In June Polar cod were mainly distributed in an area from ca. 73° N, 53° E and northwest-wards to ca. 75° N, 45° E. Sometimes the polar cod were distributed very close to the bottom, and were then difficult to detect with the acoustic equipment. Polar cod observed west of 45º 00' E were usually small and young fish while the older fish were found further east. Stomach contents were studied at some localities, and copepods and euphausides dominated. O-group capelin also made up an important part in some samples. The data on distribution and behaviour support that summer is not the best season for polar cod fishery.
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