Tourists Attempt To Save Dying Mackerel

Mackerel have been swimming into Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon in large numbers and dying, upsetting tourists who try to save those who wash up on the beach, reports RÚV.

“The tourists are really not happy about this and keep trying to help the fish get back into the water,” said tour boat captain, Gunnar Þór Óðinsson. “[The mackerel] just can’t handle the cold in Jökulsárlón and it’s not just salt water in there. There is freshwater in there too and they can’t handle that. Mackerel feel most comfortable in about 6-8 degrees celsius and it’s only 2 degrees.”

Gunnar Þór told RÚV that currently efforts are being put into cleaning up the dead mackerel before they attract birds.