Reviews of biologists and ichthyologists

Jóhannes Sturlaugsson og Björn Theódórsson

It can be said that this project is almost without precedent, but the comments of the fisheries experts who said that this is probably the only major river that can still be built in Iceland, and that further research is needed. During research last summer, the question often came up:

 "Why hasn't anyone done this yet?"

There is much evidence that the river can become self-sustaining with hatchery production and would require little support with fry releases after a few years. This would not only apply to the river above Tungufoss but would also have a major impact on the Eystri Rangá below the waterfall, where there is very little natural hatchery due to the sandy bottom. Thus, the river could have every potential to become one of the largest and most productive salmon fishing rivers in the country.

What will be the outcome?

Supporting the North Atlantic salmon stock and injecting tens of millions into the economies of the municipalities on both sides of the river strengthens the settlement and can lead to further development. Expanding and strengthening salmon fishing rivers is an important part of the strategy aimed at strengthening the salmon stock in the North Atlantic. Our project involves opening up more habitats, which allows salmon to enter new spawning grounds. By increasing the area's potential for natural reproduction, the project addresses the main limitations that salmon stocks face in their life cycle.

Building a new world-class salmon fishing river costs a lot and requires a lot of patience.

Therefore, major investments are needed to make it possible for the river to become fishable and accessible as a fishing river. This project can cost hundreds of millions, but can also yield dividends for the owners and other landowners that will vary over time, not to mention the jobs that will be created when the river becomes operational.