Proposed Smolt Farm Near Pristine Waterfall

The latest news from Sørlandet / Agder over the past 48 hours has been dominated by a proposed smolt farm near a still-unspoiled waterfall on the Otra River, political tensions in Arendal, and free security alarms in Kristiansand. Culture and sport round out the picture, with an unprecedented exhibition by Leonard Rickhard at Kunstsilo and a 92-year-old archer competing at Kristiansand Open (NRK Sørlandet / Agder, Fædrelandsvennen).

Sørlandet / Agder News: A fish farming project near a waterfall on the Otra

A group of investors wants to build a smolt production facility (settefiskeanlegg) right next to one of the last undeveloped waterfalls on the Otra, in Agder county (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). The mayor calls the project good news, according to public radio. However, the case is facing opposition, NRK Sørlandet / Agder reports.

The Otra is a well-known watercourse in the region. The planned location is near a site described as one of the last intact waterfalls on the river (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). The project involves a smolt farm, one stage of the aquaculture value chain. The investors were not named in NRK's report (NRK).

The debate centers on reconciling economic activity with the preservation of an environment that is still largely untouched. The mayor supports the initiative, but there are voices opposing it (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). No final decision has been announced in the sources consulted.

Politics: Robert Nordli reappointed in Arendal, tensions in Agder county

In Arendal, Robert Nordli has been proposed for the top spot on the Labour Party (Ap) list for next year's local elections (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). Mayor since 2015, he is completing his third term and says he is ready for a fourth. The nomination committee's list proposal was sent on Friday evening. This case is among the Sørlandet / Agder news of the period.

The process is nevertheless marked by internal unrest. A majority of the committee members want to instruct the municipal group to reconsider a position, which Nordli and the rest of the group have refused (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). Asked by NRK, Nordli says he remains "absolutely motivated" to continue the political work and leaves the decision to the members.

At the same time, Fædrelandsvennen reports that a proposal seeks to merge Agder municipalities by force (Fædrelandsvennen, 8 November). The headline does not specify the municipalities concerned or the initiator of the move in the available material. The issue adds to the county's institutional debates.

Kristiansand: security alarms are now free of charge

In Kristiansand, the municipality had been charging a fee for security alarms (trygghetsalarmer) since 2000, several hundred kroner per month (Fædrelandsvennen). Since 1 September, these alarms have been free of charge following a clarification from the Norwegian Directorate of Health (Helsedirektoratet), the newspaper reports.

The measure applies to people who use this security device in their homes. It ends a charging practice that had continued for more than two decades (Fædrelandsvennen). The change is presented as a regulatory clarification.

The issue remains local, but it directly affects Kristiansand residents and the organisation of municipal services. Fædrelandsvennen states that the exemption from fees has applied since 1 September.

Culture and sport: Leonard Rickhard at Kunstsilo, a 92-year-old archer in Kristiansand

Kunstsilo in Kristiansand is hosting an exhibition devoted to Leonard Rickhard this week, one of Norway’s greatest contemporary artists (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). Many of the deceased artist’s paintings had never been exhibited before. The opening attracted a large audience, according to NRK.

At Gimlehallen, 92-year-old psychologist Jack Herlofsen took part in the Kristiansand Open this weekend. He has practised archery since before the war (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). He recounted how, as a child, he started shooting in Baneheia, near Kristiansand, after seeing an arrow disappear. He also mentions a hunt during which he killed a lion in the early 2000s, a memory he says he does not carry with pride.

NRK Sørlandet / Agder points out that he adapted his technique to make drawing the bow easier. The archery weekend was organised by Kristiansand Bueskytter. A regional podcast also revisits Edvard Tallaksen, a resistance fighter from Kristiansand, presented as one of the most effective liquidation agents during the Second World War (NRK Sørlandet / Agder).

Sources: NRK Sørlandet / Agder, Fædrelandsvennen — Period: 08 November 2026 and 09 November 2026