vegaøyan world heritage
Hysvær
Hysvær consists of a couple of hundred islands , a village with an old settlement and mentioned in written sources as early as the 13th century as a place where down was collected. Today there are six birdtenders in Hysvær which collects down from around 160 eiders. After being exterminated by mink in the 90s, a population of 130 – 140 eiders was built up, which was again reduced due to otter attacks. Since 2014, no eiders have been taken by otters and the population is now gradually increasing again.
Fourteen of the islands have been inhabited, most often with only one family on each island . There has been a shop, a fish reception, a post office and a steamship expedition here. At its peak, around 120 people lived in Hysvær . The boarding school was located at Svinskjæret. Around 1930 it had 30 students. The children came here from Skjærvær and Hysvær The boarding school was closed when school transport was introduced in 1954, while the school was closed in 1985.
The buildings are cared for and used by the birdtenders or by the landowners as holiday homes. Large parts of the landscape are still managed through traditional haymaking and grazing.
Commercial activities
The population of Hysvær were fishing farmers who actively farmed with cows and sheep. From 1930, extensive fishing was carried out in Hysvær The eider was an important additional source of income. The landowners still preserve the down tradition.
Today the old school is owned by Gåkkå Mathus who have built a café and a guesthouse in addition. The company offers catering and accommodation by prior arrangement. In 2008, the Nordland County Cultural Landscape Award went to the owners, Snefrid Jakobsen and Øystein Ludvigsen, for their many years of effort to preserve the cultural landscape and the eider tradition. At Svinskjæret in Hysvær There is also the World Heritage Bauta, which was unveiled by Queen Sonja in 2005.
Vegetation
The vegetation in Hysvær consists largely of rather poor heathland. On inhabited islands and the neighboring islets, the establishment of seaweed has resulted in a more grassy and herbaceous vegetation that provides greater production for grazing and traditional haymaking Today, these areas are important grazing areas for barnacle geese, which stop here for a short period in April and May on their way to their breeding grounds in Svalbard. The protected areas are also an important breeding, moulting and wintering area for seabirds.
Traffic in the area
Hysvær is part of Hysvær / Søla landscape conservation area as a unique cultural and landscape conservation area. This means that the animal and bird life with nesting sites and breeding areas are protected from damage and destruction. New animal species must not be introduced, and dogs must be kept on a leash.
Show consideration when moving in the landscape. Follow marked trails and respect privacy. Do not leave litter.
Want to know more?
Following this link will take you to a page with further recommended reading.
Source
“ Vegaøyan World Heritage. Cultural History Travel Book .” by Inga E. Næss and Rita Johansen.