"The Salmon Farmer"

On one of the last roadless salmon farms by the scenic Bolstadfjord, Helge and Kirsti Furnes lived with their family. Helge Furnes was a man with a burning commitment to the Vossolak, farming and the rich biodiversity in the steep slopes around the farm. Today, Helge has passed away, but Kirsti and his family continue to nurture the unique cultural landscape that has been preserved through generations, ever since the Black Death.

I got to know the Furnes family in the early 2000s, and then work began on the documentary film " Believing in a Dream" . The film, which was shown on NRK in 2008, was a collaboration with Skirnir AS and the sequel " The Salmon Farmer" was broadcast on NRK in 2018, continuing the story of their life and fight for nature. Per Nikolai Haukeland/Skirnir had primary responsibility for the documentary film "The Salmon Farmer".

The meadows on the steep slopes above the farm are demanding to maintain, but through an impressive effort, the family ensures that this valuable cultural landscape is kept in operation with mowing and grazing.

Helge Furnes had two great passions: One was to transform the inaccessible outback above the farm into arable land for the 60 winter-fed sheep. The other was to preserve the Vossolaksen, a wild salmon population that has been an important part of life on Furnes for centuries.

Salmon fishing Furnes, Bolstadfjorden. Photo copyright Helge Furnes

In earlier times, salmon could account for a third of the farm's income. Vosso, which flows into Bolstadfjorden, was once a favorite destination for the world's wealthiest – from English nobles to film stars – who were attracted by the river's large salmon.

Photo copyright Sverre Langhelle.

The mighty large salmon caught in 1946 by Sverre Langhelle, who was on his way to the Vosso River, was nothing short of a magnificent specimen of its kind. It weighed a whopping 36 kilograms – a weight that few, if any, other Atlantic salmon can match. The Vosso salmon was unique both nationally and internationally, especially because of its size. However, overfishing and environmental impact have made the salmon highly endangered and it has been threatened with extinction since the late eighties.

Helge Furnes never gave up on his dream of seeing the big salmon return.

The farm's isolated location makes Furnes special. When the fjord freezes over in winter, the only access is via the ice, either by hydrocopter or by being an ice guide across the frozen fjord yourself.

This location offers challenges, but also opportunities to preserve a lifestyle closely connected to nature.

At Furnes, topsoil has always been an invaluable resource. The family has a deep respect for the soil, knowing that it takes hundreds of years to form a few centimeters of topsoil. This contrasts with national development, where topsoil is often depleted. The family runs the farm with traditional small-scale agriculture, and the species-rich meadows are maintained with a combination of modern and traditional methods. The food on the farm is based on their own ingredients, with dishes such as smalahove, a symbol of sustainability and tradition where nothing goes to waste.

Furnes is a place for reflection – a reminder of how one can live in harmony with nature, even under demanding conditions. Through hard work, respect for traditions and a strong connection to the landscape, the family preserves a lifestyle that reflects values related to sustainability and cultural heritage.

The salmon farmer

The Salmon Farmer, the last salmon farm in Bolstafjorden, Norway