– A new Landmark in Finnmark

– I am really looking forward to open the doors, and I can guarantee it’s going to be great, says Sirin Figenschou Høyen, project manager for Ocean Stories – Grieg Seafood’s visitor centre in Honningsvåg.

The original plan was for the opening to take place in May 2025. But the groundwork presented some challenges. Consequently, the project manager believes that it will be July or August before she can finally show the brand-new centre to the visitors.

A Landmark

Three floors, 800 square meters, and a design that will certainly be noticed.

– I have just visited the site. All the reinforcements and formwork are now in place, and it’s so good to see things happening. It’s going to be incredibly beautiful, says the project manager.

– We are fortunate to be constructing a building that will become a landmark for Honningsvåg.

Sirin Figenschou Høyen started as project manager last spring, having previously served as the principal at Honningsvåg School. According to her, the past year has been exciting, challenging, and hectic.

– This is truly a rich job, she says, explaining that her workdays involve everything from developing exhibition content and managing construction issues to designing logos, creating the website, and establishing new partnerships.

Honningsvåg is one of the country’s most popular cruise ports, with up to 200 calls each year. Ocean Stories is thus preparing for a large influx of tourists, which Grieg Seafood believes could make the centre one of the most visited in the country.

– The Atlantic current has been crucial for inhabitation here for over 10,000 years. This will be a central theme in the exhibition, says Figenschou Høyen.

More Food from the Ocean

There will also be a strong focus on sustainability.

– We intend to place the aquaculture industry within the larger picture, highlighting how Arctic regions must address increased challenges from climate change. We know we need to consume more food from the ocean, with aquaculture being part of this solution – but we also aim to inspire guests to make new dietary choices from the sea. Are there other things we can eat in the future?

However, the visit doesn’t begin with history or sustainability. The first experience guests encounter is in fact an elevator.

– The visit to the centre starts in the elevator, which is designed to be an audiovisual experience that sets the mood and piques curiosity for the rest of the visit. Goosebumps, perhaps? At least that’s the goal.

Project Manager Siren Figenschou Høyen in front of the old Mellageret, which has now been demolished to make way for the new visitor centre in Honningsvåg.

This text has been translated from Norwegian to English using AI. It has then been reviewed by our content producers.

Published 30 January 2025