What's stirring deep down in the fjords?
Norway has more than 1700 named fjords. Tourists come from all over the world to see them, and the fjords are important for fisheries and aquaculture. But what goes on under the surface?
Publisert 15. May 2025
The research vessel Fridtjof Nansen on a research cruise in Haugsværfjorden, in the inner part of Masfjorden. Photo: Natalya Gallo
Many fjords have a shallow sill separating them from the sea outside, and years may pass between each time the water inside of the sill is fully renewed. Towards the next renewal, the oxygen in the deeper water is gradually depleted, and fish and other creatures need to adapt to survive.
When rivers carry more soil and other particles into the fjords, the fish also sees the competition from jellyfish, which depend less on light and can better tolerate a darkening of the water.
In the latest episode of the Bjerknes Centre's podcast, four of our fjord researchers discuss how the fjords are influenced by a changing climate.
The conversation is led by Natalya Gallo, researcher at NORCE. She has talked to Elin Darelius from the Geophysical Institute and the University of Bergen, Agnes Weiner from NORCE and Martine Røysted Solås from the Department of Biological Science at the University of Bergen – all affiliated with the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Rhttps://bjerknes.uib.no/forskere/natalya-galloesearch .
Workshop on fjords
In the beginning of June, fjord researchers from all over the world will meet at Stalheim in Western Norway to discuss fjords.
A completely interdisciplinary workshop on all aspects of fjord science - the physical oceanography, biogeochemistry and biology of fjords in the past, present and future.
More information about the workshop can be found here.
