The glacial lagoon in Fell, an area of land hotly contested between Iceland's government and private investors, reached boiling point after the state snapped up the estate called Fell at auction in 2016 and was bought by Thule Investments for US$13 million.
The purchase followed years of disagreements between at least 40 landowners amid Iceland's economic boom, which is being driven by record numbers of tourists heading to the Nordic country to experience the northern lights and check out locations used in Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones cast members on location in #iceland https://t.co/JP2SUpmegw pic.twitter.com/Qc50MabhGU
— Iceland Magazine (@IcelandMag) January 18, 2017
Game of Thrones filming in Iceland wraps #GameofThrones #winteriscoming #GoT #JonSnow #HBO https://t.co/gS56iAQXBg pic.twitter.com/TlZvvJduAt
— Throne Games (@games_throne) January 31, 2017
It's no wonder that the government wanted its piece of the lagoon on Fell — but the conflict continues.
"It's the general rule that the preemeption right doesn't become active until a binding contract is made between the owner of the preemption right and the buyer," Anna Birna Ragnarsdottir, South Iceland's District Commissioner told news site mbl.is.
"Legally, it is considered that the binding contract doesn't take effect until the offer is approved, which in this case was November 11, 2016," Anna Birna said.
However In January 2017, Iceland's minister for the environment celebrated the state ownership of Jokulsarlon as part of the government's greater tourists plans.
"Now the plans that have been discussed on including this area in Vatnajokull National Park can be realized," Bjort Olafsdottir told mbl.s.
But perhaps it was James Bond who first realized the lagoon's potential, returning in Die Another Day, where the majority of the characters are blown up, chased, shot or killed in some way surrounded by ice, in Iceland.
Iceland's state plans include Vatnajokull National Park being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — which would be another shot in the arm for Iceland's tourist industry — and economy.
