| Summary: | In August 1973 experimental fishing for Chlamys islandica off Spitsbergen revealed extensive fields north of the island and also some concentrations on the western banks. Up to 1700 scallops were taken in 20 minute hauls using a scallop dredge with an opening of 3.6 m. At Bear Island fields discovered in previous years were fished, yelding up to 2000 scallops per haul. Owing to the selectivitv of the gear, mainly scallops 60 - 90 mm in diameter were caught. The age of the scallops was estimated to be 10 —15 years. Growth, as deduced from growth zones, was moderate at Bear Island and north of Spitsbergen and slower at the Mitra Bank. Weights of adductor muscle were highest at Bear Island, 9, 13 and 18 g for scallops 70, 80 and 90 mm respectively. .At Spitsbergen the corresponding weights were mostly 7, 10 and 13 g, but at the Mitra Bank only 4.5 g for scallops of 70 mm. The scallops supposedly spawned in July; the regenerating gonads in 70—90 mm scallops weighing about 4—5 g at Bear Island, 2—4 g at Spitsbergen and below one g on the Mitra Bank. The gonads weighed more in male, than in female scallops. The scallop banks north of Spitsbergen and at Bear Island are supposed to be very rich, but with a slow rate of regeneration. Commercial fishery is not yet profitable, mainly because of the high costs related to the fishing and to the processing of the scallop meats. Future mechanisation may diminish the expenses.
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