1

During the 1990s Værøy was still a traditional fishing community in Lofoten. Small boats and many smaller fish processing firms – most of them were only active in the wintertime. The summer season was quiet, both on land and at sea.

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2

The fishing season for skrei (mature spawning cod) begins just over the New Year and lasts until April. Skrei fishing has always been important for Værøy, but the fishermen always regarded themselves as almost living in a natural ”refrigerator” – and no one ever thought that there could be a need for ice for preserving the catches. The Fisheries Department’s inspectors did not, however, perceive the situation in a similar way. From the middle of the 1990s the regulations were changed, all catches were required to be iced.

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3

Now there are other changes in progress on Værøy. Herring as a food source became increasingly important for the fishing industry in Lofoten, especially on Værøy. The year is now 1995. The first year, approximately 2 000 tonnes of herring was processed by Røstnesvåg Fish Industry Ltd – all of which was salted and exported to Russia. This is the start of a new era on Værøy, according to Lorentz Hardy, Manager of Røstnesvåg Fish Industry Ltd.

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4

The herring processing industry demanded large quantities of ice. The communal ice plant became therefore a reality in the autumn of 1997.
Here, installation has begun, the month is August 1997.

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5

The plant was originally planned to produce 20 tonnes of ice per 24 hours, with a warehouse capacity of 100 tonnes. However, on Værøy, the possibility of expansion was anticipated in advance, and enough room was made to install two extra ice machines, should it be necessary. Ltd. Finsam were chosen as building contractors, whilst local contractors did the ground construction work.

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6

The building work was completed at the end of September 1997. The finished product was a totally modern plant. Ice deliveries were controlled by modern computers and card systems. Ice could be collected 24 hours a day.

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7

Should you get in touch with the ice plant, Manager Birger Røstgård is the man you meet. Operation and service of the plant itself is taken care of by Værøy Refrigeration Services.

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8


The inspectors have tightened up their controls, and today not even so much as the smallest fishing boat sails to the fishing grounds without first collecting ice from the plant at Røssnesvågen. The vast majority of the local fishermen are shareholders in Værøy Ice Plant Ltd.

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9

The plant was located at the mouth of Værøy harbour, at the site of the now redundant ferry quay. The location is ideal, the draught depth and seaward approach are excellent.

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10

Terje Andreassen led the interim board of directors during the founding of Værøy Ice Plant Ltd, and has been the company’s board chairman until now. The ice plant has made a profit ever since it’s construction.

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