So you want to be a seaweed harvester?
It’s easy to see why the idea is so appealing. Lofoten is a magnet for adventurers, wanderers, and nature lovers alike. Staggering mountain vistas, crystal-clear air, and turquoise waters are a heady combination, and they do indeed make for a stunning workplace… but before you get too swept up in visions of idyllic ocean days, let’s talk about what it really means to be a harvester at Lofoten Seaweed. If you get to the end of this page and it still sounds like your dream role, you’ll find information on how to apply.
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When do we harvest?
Spring (February – April)
During the first harvest of the year we focus on red algae – mainly truffle seaweed and nori – which can be picked from the rocky shores of the Nappstraumen. No wetsuits or swimming necessary for these seaweed harvests, but plenty of warm layers are a must as you’ll be out for hours at a time in cold weather. You’ll be traversing rocks that can be very slippery, so it helps if you’re sure-footed! Daylight hours are short at this time of year, and both truffle seaweed and nori are always in high demand, so we might need you to harvest in low light from time to time. Don’t worry – we’ll provide the head torches!
At this time of year in Lofoten you’ll be able to enjoy winter activities like cross-country skiing, ice skating, and kick-sledding. From late February Lofoten’s famous cod fishery begins, so it’s a great time of year for anyone who wants to take part in this historic activity. Northern lights are visible in February and March (providing the skies are clear) so you’ll be able to tick that off your bucket list! The weather is unpredictable and can be extreme in this season, and some of Lofoten’s most famous hikes (e.g. the Reinebringen) are not safe to attempt, so plan for some cozy evenings indoors.
Summer (April – June)
During this harvest you’ll be donning wetsuits and gloves, hopping on a boat and getting up to your neck in the Arctic Ocean – literally! We collect the larger kelp species in these months – winged kelp, sugar kelp and oarweed, to be specific. You’ll be half-submerged in water, moving through thick kelp forests in choppy water, so it’s important that you’re a confident swimmer. Using our sustainable methods you’ll collect hundreds of kilos of seaweed over a few weeks – our current record is 13 tons! Once the seaweed-laden buckets are back at our production facility, you’ll need to weigh and measure every haul so we can record it in our database, then you’ll spread the seaweed out on racks in our drying room. The schedule isn’t fixed – we go when the conditions are right: low tide, fair weather, light winds. This means you’ll be in for the occasional early start and late finish, but at this time of year, there’s daylight around the clock.
There are few places on Earth more spectacular than Lofoten on a fine summer’s day. With 24-hour daylight from mid-May to mid-July, and high temperatures up to 25C, it can be easy to forget just how far north you are. Lofoten comes alive in the summer, with seasonal restaurants open for business and the public holiday celebrating Norwegian independence on the 17th May. Be warned – as nice as the sunny days are, the weather is still unpredictable, and the temperature can drop suddenly to around 10C, with cold rain and strong winds. Whether you get to experience fine weather or not is luck of the draw, but with the right mindset you can still enjoy the outdoors in poor weather. As the locals say – there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!
Autumn (September – October)
In the autumn we have one more window in which to collect seaweed, and this time it’s back on land to focus on truffle seaweed and nori again. Red algae grows throughout the year, but it’s during the colder months that its flavour is the strongest. From the end of September onwards it’s a race against time to pick as much seaweed as possible before it gets too dark and cold to continue.
This time of year in Lofoten is a mixed bag. It’s a favourite time of year for the locals as the busy tourist season is over, and some peace returns to the islands. The weather can be fair, and it’s a great time of the year for hiking, but if you’re less lucky then you may encounter some stormy weather. Snow can come from as early as October, but on the flip-side, the Northern Lights are visible from late August. Temperatures can vary wildly (as at all times of the year in Lofoten) but will most likely hover around 8 – 10C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a paid position?
Yes, this is a paid position.
Is it a full-time role?
We try to guarantee a minimum number of hours per week. When there is no harvesting, we can usually find alternative work for you in our production facility or in the shop during the summer, so if you’re open to different things then we will find a way to fill your time!
How is the work schedule?
We harvest when the tide is on the way out, so your hours will vary depending on when low tide falls. We try to be mindful of late nights and early mornings, but as the saying goes, time and tide waits for no one, so you’ll need to be OK with a varying work schedule.
Do you hire foreign workers?
We welcome people from all walks of life to join us at Lofoten Seaweed, but unfortunately we are not able to offer a visa sponsorship. You will need to have the right to work in Norway, and the ability to understand and speak English at an intermediate level.
Do you provide accommodation?
We can secure a house share in Napp village for the harvesting team, but you will be responsible for your share of the rent and bills. You are also free to secure your own lodgings.
Do you provide transport?
We have a car available for rent which is usually shared between our staff.
Do you need to have a boat license?
No, but please let us know if you do have a boat license or any other relevant qualifications! We are a small team with a big dream, so any extra help you can offer will always be appreciated!
What’s the application process?
Use the button below to submit your details, and we will add you to our waiting list. We receive a huge number of applications for this role, so we unfortunately won’t be able to provide feedback if you are not selected. A few months before each season starts, we will contact potential harvesters via the email address provided if we want to take your application further. We try to respond as fast as we can, but we are a very small team so please be patient with us! This is an open/on-going role and there are always spaces popping up, so if you’re not successful the first time, don’t despair! We have your details, and will reach out if we think we have an opportunity for you.