Iceland review - 2013, Síða 35

ICELAND REVIEW 33
percentage of each fish caught paid to the state, was introduced. “It
will bankrupt everyone in this business and lead to another collapse,”
maintains Bjarni. Now, with the new government’s bill on changes
to the fishing tariff having been passed in July, the annual tariff for
Sigurbjörn will drop significantly. A petition in protest of the bill
signed by almost 35,000 people was handed to President Ólafur
Ragnar Grímsson in the hope that he would veto it and refer it to a
national referendum, but instead, he signed the bill.
With the midnight sun and the island’s rich birdlife being obvi-
ous attractions, tourism is a growing industry on Grímsey with
15,000-17,000 people traveling there last year, either by plane from
Akureyri or ferry from Dalvík, a significant increase, according to
local tourism operators. “But too many tourists stop for too short
a time,” complains Bjarni. “We’re trying to get the ferry to come
daily in summer.” Currently, it sails to Grímsey three times a week,
which means that passengers either have to spend four hours or
two nights on the island. The latter option may prove too timely for
travelers on a tight schedule. There are daily flights in summer but
a number of people fly to Grímsey for an hour
and a half only to have their picture taken on
the Arctic Circle and then return to Akureyri.
Bjarni, Svafar and their families would like to
give tourists a reason to stay longer. Being keen
bird enthusiasts the brothers have opened up a
small exhibition of taxidermy eggs and birds.
Diving expeditions provide a new angle for
bird watching. “People love observing the birds
catch fish underwater,” says Svafar, a hobby diver.
Tours of the island and fishing expeditions are
also an option, and the entrepreneurs are hop-
ing to have the local golf course extended to a
proper 18-hole course with the last hole placed
across the Arctic Circle. Potentials are aplenty.
“It’s paradise on earth,” concludes Rannveig.
“We just want to fish, welcome tourists and lead
a wonderful life.” 

Flocks of fulmars wait attentively for cutoffs and fish too small to sell on the market.