The trout stock in Lake Mývatn, in the north of Iceland, has hit a historical low, counting only one thousand fish. The arctic char stock has also hit an all-time low despite fishing restrictions having been imposed three years ago, reports news website Vísir. Natural environmental changes and human influence are to blame, says Guðni Guðbergsson, head of the Department of Natural Resources within the National Institute of Fresh Water Fisheries.
Lake Mývatn is a shallow eutrophic lake situated not far from Krafla volcano and was created by a large basaltic lava eruption over 2300 years ago. Its name, which derives from large swarms of midge found near the lake during summer, literally translates to Midge Lake.
This is not the first time the trout population in Mývatn has collapsed. It was under some degree of stress in 1988 and 1997 when large numbers died due to changes in the ecosystem.
“The rapid growth of tourism in the area and the mining of silicon which took place in the lake for over three decades, have without a doubt had an adverse effect on the trout stock.
“There have been talks about building a new geothermal energy plant near Bjarnarflag, one can’t help but wonder whether that will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” Guðni says, referring to the National Power Company of Iceland’s intentions to build a new, and larger, geothermal power plant just east of Reykjahlíð, a small block of houses on the shores of Mývatn.
Rapid growth of tourism near Mývatn and the mining of silicon in the lake are thought to have had an adverse effect on the lake's trout stock.
The trout stock in Lake Mývatn, in the north of Iceland, has hit a historical low, counting only one thousand fish. The arctic char stock has also hit an all-time low despite fishing restrictions having been imposed three years ago, reports news website Vísir. Natural environmental changes and human influence are to blame, says Guðni Guðbergsson, head of the Department of Natural Resources within the National Institute of Fresh Water Fisheries.
Lake Mývatn is a shallow eutrophic lake situated not far from Krafla volcano and was created by a large basaltic lava eruption over 2300 years ago. Its name, which derives from large swarms of midge found near the lake during summer, literally translates to Midge Lake.
This is not the first time the trout population in Mývatn has collapsed. It was under some degree of stress in 1988 and 1997 when large numbers died due to changes in the ecosystem.
“The rapid growth of tourism in the area and the mining of silicon which took place in the lake for over three decades, have without a doubt had an adverse effect on the trout stock.
“There have been talks about building a new geothermal energy plant near Bjarnarflag, one can’t help but wonder whether that will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” Guðni says, referring to the National Power Company of Iceland’s intentions to build a new, and larger, geothermal power plant just east of Reykjahlíð, a small block of houses on the shores of Mývatn.
