SKREI is to be located in Storvågan, Kabelvåg which is in the Lofoten Islands, northern Norway. Situated in an extraordinary landscape, this location is one of the most sought after destinations in the region partly because of the success of Destination Lofoten, which markets the islands worldwide. While the fisheries remain a strong, sustainable economic feature of the Lofotens, we have seen a steady rise in the economic growth of industries such as tourism over the last 100 years. In fact tourism today is as important to the islands’ economy as the fisheries. The proposed site for SKREI is within an existing cultural resort that already features a traditional museum (Lofotmuseet), art gallery (Galleri Espolin) and aquarium (Lofotakvariet). Unifying these multiple institutions into one attraction will help enhance the overall appeal to visitors. In addition, the resort offers a modern hotel (Nyvågar Rorbuhotell) featuring traditional rorbu-style accommodations, local cuisine, and meeting facilities. In recent years, experience- and activity-based providers have built on the touristic popularity of the Lofotens by offering experiences of local nature and maritime wildlife. In this context SKREI will offer for visitors a window to a deeper understanding of why and how people have lived here for 10,000 years. SKREI will tell the story of local cultural history from the perspective of the Lofoten Winter Cod Fisheries, highlighting the history of Norway’s coastal people from Bergen to Kirkenes. Organizationally SKREI will be the newest element of Museum Nord - an initiative to unify its consortium of partner institutions, making us more capable of achieving our goal to become a museum for the fisheries, fishing industry and coastal culture of northern Norway. SKREI will function as a major visitor center for the region, but more importantly, also as a portal for most of Museum Nord’s other departments and visitor centers in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Ofoten. As a portal, it will create a unified context for the 17 partners whose locations span 125 km2. To provide visitors with a unified perspective, SKREI will present a virtual experience of the high-level relationship between history, culture and ecology in the region, articulating key story ‘headlines’ that encourage guests to visit the other museums. The overarching dialogue on sustainable development engages every sector from commercial and economic, from fishing to oil, as well as education, re-training, development and adoption of new technologies. SKREI aims to attract a wide range of people locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, serving the interests of this broad-based community. There is strong interest locally for SKREI to build confidence in the younger generation by re-asserting pride for what has been accomplished, and motivation to continue forward. Nationally, SKREI will communicate the story of Lofoten's economic contribution and the value of fishing to the development of national identity, the nation of Norway. And finally, on the global stage SKREI will aim to emerge as a go-to destination and global thought-leader on sustainable development solutions. The core value and message of SKREI is one of hope and achievable quality of life for all, set in the context of what may be the world’s greatest fishing story.
