The community of Grímsey, 40 km (25 miles) off the north coast of Iceland, faces a difficult situation, RÚV reports. The island’s fishing industry, the residents’ main employer, is in financial trouble. Last summer, the government appointed a group of people to assess what can be done to solve the islanders’ problems. The group is evaluating suggestions from a task force made up of representatives from the City of Akureyri and members of parliament representing the district.
Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir leads the group, which is focusing on the island’s fishing industry, transport issues and the heating of houses. The group has not yet had a chance to visit Grímsey, but plans to do so soon. A few days ago, it was reported that the only grocery store on the island would be closing. “The store closing is a disappointment,” Lilja says. Ninety people live in Grímsey.
