Distribution of the Yesso Scallop, Mizuhopecten yessoensis (Jay, 1857) (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) in the southern part of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve

Abstract

The current status of the Yesso scallop, Mizuhopecten yessoensis, population has been studied in waters of the southern part of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve. The maximum population densities of this species observed in Kalevala Bay in 2007 and 2015 were 0.50 and 0.56 ind./m², respectively. In the bays and off the semi-open shores, the mean population density was higher than in open waters. The number of Yesso scallops in the studied part of the reserve (1.3 million ind.) is equivalent to that in 2007 (1.2 million ind.); the difference between the population density values in 2007 and 2015 is statistically insignificant at the 5% level of significance. The total number of M. yessoensis in Peter the Great Bay is estimated at 4 million ind.; at least one-quarter of the population inhabits the southern part of the reserve.