Mass Death in Kolgrafafjörður

Last updated: Dec 4, 2025
Tómas Freyr Kristjánsson
Verified local
Last updated: Dec 4, 2025

 

Mass Death in Kolgrafafjörður

In desember 2012 and february 2013 there was a mass death of herring in Kolgrafafjörður Iceland. Kolgrafafjörður is the next fjord to Grundarfjörður where I'm from.  

Mass Death in Kolgrafafjörður

As a result the fjord was filled with bird and wildlife as seals, orcas, dolphins and a lot more came to this mighty feast. But it soon started to decompose and the smell got worse. But nature was really quick to recover with the help of the locals who buried most of the rotten herring.

Mass Death in Kolgrafafjörður

Now a year later the herring returned to Kolgrafafjörður for its winter stay and seems to have survived the conditions in the water. As a result the wildlife in this extraordinary fjord is nothing less of spectacular. It is every nature lover's and photographer's dream. Northern gannets, eagles, seals, orcas, dolphins you name it. It is all there and will be for a few weeks more. 

If you're planning a trip to Iceland in the near future I would recommend a trip to Snæfellsnes peninsula and see Kolgrafafjörður and it's astonishing wildlife.

About the author

Hi there. My name is Tomas Freyr Kristjansson and I live with my family in Grundarfjörður Iceland. I work as an accountant along with my father and I also work as an EMT-I with the local health care here in Grundarfjörður. Photography is a passion of mine and I never get tired of photographing my near surroundings. A lot of beautiful places and astonishing landscapes. I also travel around the country whenever I can and combine traveling and photography. Lucky for me I have a understanding and a patient wife. You can see my pictures at http://flickr.com/tomasfreyr

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