Scallops

The scallop species that occurs in Greenlandic waters is called in Latin Chlamys islandica. It is widespread in the southern part of the Arctic around the world.

Fisheries of interesting occurrence of Chlamys islandica occur along the coasts of northern Norway, around Svalbard and Jan Mayen, off Iceland, off Greenland and along the North American coast from Cape Cod to Newfoundland.

Scallops typically occur at depths of 20 to 60 m in estuaries, narrow healthy or shallow thresholds with strong tidal currents. The growth rate of scallops in Greenland is generally very slow compared to other areas. In several localities, the scallops are thus more than 10 years old, reaching a shell size of 65 mm, which is the minimum size in the Greenlandic fishery.

The scallop spawns the period from late June to early September. During this period, the fishery is most profitable, as good growth conditions result in greater weight and better quality of muscle and gonad.