Cold Water Mystery is the fourth episode of the first season of Jeremy Wade's Dark Waters.
Episode Description[]
The Aleutian Islands are home to some of the most remote communities on earth. Jeremy Wade investigates reports of strange, alien species in the waters surrounding the islands and the disappearance of fish that have been there for generations.
Episode Summary[]
The Pacific Halibut is one of the largest flatfish, growing to over 400 pounds. However, in recent years, their numbers have drastically dropped in many parts of Alaska. Travelling to Unalaska, the center of population of the Aleutian Islands, Jeremy hears fishermen confirm what he heard earlier. Not only are the Halibut disappearing, other strange things have occurred. For example, one fisherman reported seeing Pollock hundreds of feet underwater, whereas they are usually found closer to the surface. Some of them claim to have seen or heard of huge Halibut in the past, but now this fish is becoming increasingly rare.
Jeremy hears from scientists that many strange fish have turned up, some of which are native to Subtropical regions. The current hypothesis is that a large "bubble" of warm water has hit this region and displaced many of the fish living in it. Jeremy still hopes to be able to catch a monster Halibut, so he travels to an ancient fishing community on Unimak Island. However, reaching this place was hard enough, and the weather eventually forces Jeremy to stay there longer than planned. With no large Halibut being caught in the boats, Jeremy casts a hand line and leaves it to wait. However, we he returns it has been broken further frustrating him.
Jeremy is eventually able to get a helicopter to take him off the island to Prince William Sound where the bad weather has not yet reached. Fishing here, he manages to hook what feels like a truly massive Halibut. During the fight, Jeremy states that "he can cancel his gym subscription". He is able to bring it in, proving that these monster fish do still inhabit Alaskan waters.