{"id":1413,"date":"2025-02-06T11:09:30","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T11:09:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laxakeldum.is\/?page_id=1413"},"modified":"2025-02-06T11:44:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T11:44:23","slug":"rannsoknir","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laxakeldum.is\/en\/rannsoknir\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Here we publish articles about research by the Icelandic Fisheries Agency and other reports from the Rang\u00e1r\u00feing water area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u00f3hannes Sturlaugsson \u2013 Bj\u00f6rn Theod\u00f3rsson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies from 2021-2023 showed that the area of Eystri-Rang\u00e1 River above Tungufoss is suitable for salmon after they pass Teitsv\u00f6tn, a spring-fed river. Eystri-Rang\u00e1 River is becoming an important habitat for salmon, and this is great news for those working to build a sustainable salmon population in the area. Fishing rights holders below Tungufoss are also happy, as their interests are aligned.\nSeveral exciting projects are on the way. Our focus is on creating the best conditions for young salmon to thrive in the area above Tungufoss. We also need to complete the \ufb01sh passage that will allow salmon to return from the sea to their new spawning ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fish passage construction<\/strong>
Tungufoss waterfall is 4 meters tall while the highest registered salmon jump is 3.5 meters, on average the \ufb01sh jumps up to 2 meters. This makes it nearly impossible for salmon to travel up the natural barrier.\nAt Keldur, just below Tungufoss, a ravine opens up toward the river, providing an ideal starting point for the \ufb01sh passage. According to the initial design, the \ufb01sh passage would go through a rock barrier that would be split open, eventually allowing the passage to emerge about 40 meters above Tungufoss.\nWe can ensure salmon migration to their new habitat by diverting a limited amount of water from Eystri-Rang\u00e1 into this channel. This slight change will also guarantee the sustainability of the Eystri-Rang\u00e1 salmon population.\nLet\u2019s keep in mind that this \ufb01sh passage project is one of the \ufb01rst steps in \ufb01sh farming efforts.\nMore detailed plans will be explained in a separate report.\nAs part of this initiative, project leaders have already presented the preliminary drafts and submitted a report to the Fish Farming Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bj\u00f6rn Theod\u00f3rsson: Aquaculture scientist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the fishway is in place, salmon will be able to sustainably migrate up the river and use the area for habitat and spawning. We are looking at the long term here, defining goals and working on them since 2021. This is a much more sophisticated approach than I have seen in a long time. It is a great defensive victory to find a water system that is the same length as three times the length of the Elli\u00f0a\u00e1rnar or Lax\u00e1 \u00ed Leir\u00e1rsveiit. The first cohort of sustainable salmon fry has already migrated down the river to the sea and the first salmon are expected to return this summer. The salmon desperately want to get up to their habitat and the fishway is their way there. This project is probably one of the largest in the promotion of new habitats and the expansion of the Icelandic salmon stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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