This abundancy of fish and the warm climate made it possible to sustain life for the early stone-age settlers and has given rise to prosperity for the local population over the countless generations ever since.
The World Championship in Cod Fishing takes place in the end of March and attracts fishermen from all over the world. As a partcipant, you pay your fees to enter. The organizing committee allocates all participants to individual boats on a random basis.
Once the competition has started, the fleet of bo
ats races towards the fishing grounds. The boat that gets there first claim the best patches and the fishing begins. At the end of the day there are many possibilities for winning. You may catch the biggest fish, or the heaviest catch of fish. There are several classes, ranging from 'professional' to children, tourist, man or woman. There is a rigorous set of rules to be followed,- the most important being that you have to 'unhook' the fish yourself.
The main event takes place in Svolvaer
Spending a week-end in Lofoten during the WC in Cod Fishing also leaves you with time to capture a glimpse of the real Lofoten, as the locals keep on with their daily business. {mosimage}
Local boats enter the harbour. Catches are delivered to the many dealers/slaughterhouses. Each fish is sorted and inspected, tongues and heads are cut, fillets made and decisions made on what to send to the 'stocks' to be dried as stockfish, what to salt, and what to sell as fresh cod.Stockfish from Lofoten is sold as a delicasy all over the world, with prime markets in Italy, Spain and other Bacalao-eating countries. {mosimage}The stockfish is also consumed as a snack. In Norway it is mostly consumed as 'Lutefisk'. The cod heads are also dried, and milled for fish flour, - extreme rich in proteins. The tongues are cut from the heads and served as a delicassy.
The main event takes place in Svolvaer, the capital of Lofoten. If you feel like getting away from it all, you may visit the Island of Skrova where the local pub will serve you a beer, cod patties, and play music. Or you may go to Henninsvaer and visit Galleri Harr, The Lofoten House, the Aquarium and Stamsund. {mosimage}
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The National Congress of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's Labour Party has voted yes to do a study that examines the effects of potential oil drilling in the Lofoten-Vesterålen area in the north of Norway.
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At least 50,000 people were without electricity late Tuesday and Early Wednesday morning, after several faults developed on the power grid in Southern Troms and the Lofoten/Ofoten region.(Updated)
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In the latest InFact poll, a clear majority in Nordland said no to oil exploration off Lofoten and Vesterålen. Ironically, most of the persons asked also believe this it is precisely what will happen.
The Environment Minister, Bård Vegard Solhjell who visited Lofoten Wednesday, is cheering after the latest figures in an Infact study conducted on behalf of NRK Nordland.
In the survey, 49.1 percent in Nordland said they were ..
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (Labour) says to NRK TV News that he supports his party's call for an impact assessment study of oil exploration in the waters off Lofoten.
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After the Labour Party has opened up for an impact assessment study of oil exploration in Lofoten, their sudden change of mind faces strong reactions, and it comes too early according to some.
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A large majority within the program committee of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's Labour Party (AP) now wants to open the waters off Lofoten for oil exploration within the next four years.
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The winter cod fishing has a long tradition, and for several hundred years, this fishery has attracted anglers from all over the country. Fishing for cod occurs mainly around Vesterålen, Senja and Lofoten. In Lofoten alone more than 30,000 tons of cod is caught every season.
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Opening up more northern areas for the oil industry could create between 13,000 and 37,000 jobs, and from NOK 26-55 billions in added value.
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Every year in March, fishermen from all over the world team up to fight for the world championship in Cod-fishing in Lofoten. Last years winning Cod weighed 19,2 kg.
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Museum Nord is an umbrella organization for museums and historical information in the North of Norway, Lofoten, Vesterålen and Ofoten. There are museums and historical presentations in 8 municipalities Vågan, Hadsel, Sortland, Bø, Øksnes, Andøy, Narvik og Ballangen.
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Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has announced that the Norwegian Government intends to start additional seismic surveys further north in the previously disputed area of the Barents Sea.
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This winter, the Northern Lights over Norway will be the strongest we’ve seen in 50 years, according to the experts.
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Meteorologists predict severe storms and precipitation in the North of Norway and along the West Coast this weekend, coupled with storm surge in several places.
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Slowdowns, debt crises and great uncertainty again afflict the world economy, but seem to have little or no effect on Norwegian oil industry. A record high investment level will increase further over the next three years.
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