The world cod fishing championship in Svolvær

Each March, approximately 80 fishing boats steam towards Svolvær in the Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway. Thousands of guests also flock to the small island community, where around 600 keen fishermen and fisherwomen go head to head in battle.

This is where the biggest sea fishing event in Northern Norway, the World Championship in Cod Fishing, has been held annually since 1991.

In the depths of the ice-cold Vestfjord swims the answer to an important question: who will reel in the largest skrei (Arctic cod)?

The lifeblood of the coastal community

Skrei is the Norwegian name for cod from the Norwegian-Arctic stock, which migrates from the Barents Sea to the coast during the first half of each year. This fishing period, known as the Lofoten fishery, runs from January to April – and has been doing so since well before the Viking Age.

This tasty catch has been the region’s most important source of livelihood for countless years, and remains the main source of income for many people along the Northern Norwegian coast.

This annual winter event has secured the inhabitants of Lofoten easy access to food for 10,000 years. Countless generations of fishermen and their families have survived thanks to Lofoten and its resources.

Cod up to 30 kilos!

The competition is open to both professionals and amateurs and there are prizes for both the biggest overall catch and the biggest individual fish.

The latter provides perhaps the biggest kicks. Cod is often massive in both length and weight and it’s not unusual to reel in fish that weigh up to 30 kilos.

The competition isn’t the only thing that draws a crowd, though. People also come to join the festivities on land, which can be very festive indeed … And not least to enjoy the delicious catch served on a plate.