Photo: September Northern Lights rise into the sky over Olstinden mountain peak, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. September 29, 2025. 00:43

Lofoten’s aurora season has already started for the year, though the weather has so far often been less than cooperative, offering only a few short glimpses so far. But this year, something far beyond the weather is threatening the northern lights below Olstinded in Reinefjord; plans for a new fish farm in Vorfjorden, at the base of the mountain.

One of the more difficult aspects of northern lights photography is finding a location without too much light pollution. Lofoten overall is pretty good for this, compared to Tromsø or Senja, for example, and many of Lofoten’s beaches make for ideal aurora shooting locations. In the western half of Lofoten, Reinefjord is also one of Lofoten’s better aurora locations, with little light pollution in the back of the fjord, where Olstinden rises high into the sky, making it an ideal composition.

Unfortunately though, this image may soon be a thing of the past as Moskenes municipality and Mattilsynet (food safety authority) have already given approval for a planned cod farm in Vorfjord below Olstind. Now the fish farm is waiting for the response from Nordland county.

Should it be approved, it interfere with some of the nicest views in Lofoten. And not just beside the fjord for northern lights, but also the view from Reinebringen – northern Norway’s most popular hike.

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Nikon 20mm f/1.8
20mm
ISO 1600
f2
6 Seconds
WB Daylight