Wikipedia

Torsken Municipality

Torsken (Northern Sami: Doaskku suohkan) is a former municipality that was located on the western coast of the large island of Senja in Troms county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1902 until its dissolution in 2020 when it was merged into the new Senja Municipality. The administrative centre of the municipality was the village of Gryllefjord. Other larger villages in Torsken Municipality included the villages of Torsken, Medby, and Flakstadvåg.

Torsken Municipality
Torsken kommune
Doaskku suohkan (Northern Sami)
Former municipality
View of Medby in Torsken
View of Medby in Torsken
Flag of Torsken Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Torsken Municipality
Coat of arms
Troms within Norway
Troms within Norway
Torsken within Troms
Torsken within Troms
Coordinates: 69°17′47″N 17°02′11″E / 69.29639°N 17.03639°E / 69.29639; 17.03639
CountryNorway
CountyTroms
DistrictMidt-Troms
Established1 Jan 1902
 • Preceded byBerg Municipality
Disestablished1 Jan 2020
 • Succeeded bySenja Municipality
Administrative centreGryllefjord
Government
 • Mayor (2007–2019)Fred Flakstad (Ap)
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total
243.42 km2 (93.98 sq mi)
 • Land235.30 km2 (90.85 sq mi)
 • Water8.12 km2 (3.14 sq mi)  3.3%
 • Rank#310 in Norway
Highest elevation
[1]
963.4 m (3,160.8 ft)
Population
 (2019)
 • Total
931
 • Rank#403 in Norway
 • Density3.8/km2 (10/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +1.6%
DemonymTorskeværing[2]
Official language
[3]
 • Norwegian formBokmål
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1928[4]
Data from Statistics Norway

Prior to its dissolution in 2020, the 243-square-kilometre (94 sq mi) municipality was the 310th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Torsken was also the 403rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 931. The municipality's population density was 3.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (9.8/sq mi) and its population has increased by 1.6% over the previous decade.[5][6]

The historic Torsken Church in the village of Torsken dates back to the 18th century. Ånderdalen National Park was partially located inside the old borders of both Torsken Municipality and neighboring Tranøy Municipality.

General information

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Torsken Municipality was established on 1 January 1902 when it was separated from Berg. The initial population of Torsken was 1,229. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the Rødsand area of Torsken (population: 160) was transferred to the neighboring Tranøy Municipality.[7]

In March 2017, the Parliament of Norway voted to merge Berg Municipality, Torsken Municipality, Lenvik Municipality, and Tranøy Municipality. The new municipality would encompass the whole island of Senja plus part of the mainland located between the Gisundet strait and the Malangen fjord. On 1 January 2020, Torsken Municipality ceased to exist when it became part of the new Senja Municipality.[8][9]

Name

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The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Torsken farm (Old Norse: Þoskar) since the first Torsken Church was built there. The farm (and municipal) name were taken from the nearby mountain, Torsken. The name comes from the word þorskr which means "cod". (Several mountains in Norway are named after their likeness with a fish.)[10]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 23 March 1990. The official blazon is "Sable, a cross moline Or" (Norwegian: I svart et gull ankerkors). This means the arms have a black field (background) and the charge is a cross moline (Norwegian: ankerkors; lit. 'anchor cross'). The cross moline has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The cross is a symbol for both Christianity and the importance of the local harbor. The economy of Torsken is largely dependent on its harbors and an anchor cross is an appropriate symbol. The arms were designed by Ivar Enoksen.[11][12][13]

Churches

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The Church of Norway had one parish (sokn) within Torsken Municipality. It was part of the Senja prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

Churches in Torsken
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Torsken Torsken Church Torsken 1784
Flakkstadvåg Chapel Flakstadvåg 1925
Gryllefjord Chapel Gryllefjord 1902
Medby Chapel Medby 1890

Economy

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View of Gryllefjord village

Most of the inhabitants of the municipality lived in the fishing village of Gryllefjord in the northern part of the municipality. The second most important village was Torsken, only a few kilometers to the south. Kaldfarnes/Medby, Grunnfarnes, and Flakstadvåg were other fishing villages further south. The municipality was close to the resources of the major fishing grounds off the Vesterålen archipelago, and 2004 landed 9.8 million tons of fish with a value of 76.3 million kr for fish-processing in Torsken, Gryllefjord, Kaldfarnes, and Grunnfarnes. Most people worked in the fishing or fish processing industries.

The municipality had few productive forests, but there were some spruce trees planted in sheltered areas. In the southern parts of Torsken there was some usable farmland. There were five farms with more than 5 decares (0.0050 km2; 0.0019 sq mi) of agricultural land in the entire municipality (as of 1999).[14]

Transportation

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View of the Gryllefjord

The Andenes–Gryllefjord Ferry went across the Andfjorden to the village of Andenes on the island of Andøya. The ferry was operated during about two months each summer. The road from the northern part of the municipality to Kaldfarnes, Grunnfarnes, and Flakstadvåg was far from direct. One had to drive north and then east into the neighboring Berg Municipality and then south into Tranøy Municipality before turning northwest and returning to Torsken Municipality. These were the only road connections from the rest of Norway into Torsken.

Government

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While it existed, Torsken Municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[15] The municipality fell under the Senja District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Torsken was made up of 15 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.

Torsken kommunestyre 2016–2019 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:15
Note: On 1 January 2020, Torsken Municipality became part of Senja Municipality.
Torsken kommunestyre 2012–2015 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
Total number of members:15
Torsken kommunestyre 2008–2011 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
 Common list in Torsken (Felleslista i Torsken)1
 Gryllefjord local list (Gryllefjord bygdeliste)4
Total number of members:15
Torsken kommunestyre 2004–2007 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 2
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Coastal Party (Kystpartiet) 1
  Joint list of the Centre Party and free voters
(Senterpartiet og frie velgeres liste)		 5
 Common list in Torsken (Felleslista i Torsken)2
 Gryllefjord local list (Gryllefjord bygdeliste)4
Total number of members:15
Torsken kommunestyre 2000–2003 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
 Common list (Felleslista)5
 Gryllefjord local list (Gryllefjord bygdeliste)3
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1996–1999 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
 Common list (Felleslista)4
 Gryllefjord local list (Gryllefjord bygdeliste)5
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1992–1995 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
 Common list (Felleslista)13
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1988–1991 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
 Torsken social democrat common list
 (Torsken sosialdemokratisk fellesliste)		6
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1984–1987 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
 Torsken non-party list (Torsken upolitiske liste)3
 Grunnfarnes common list (Grunnfarnes Felleslista)1
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1980–1983 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
 Torsken non-party list (Torsken upolitiske liste)3
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1976–1979 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
 Torsken non-party list (Torsken Upolitiske Liste)3
 Midtbygda non-party list (Midtbygda Upolitiske Liste)5
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1972–1975 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 11
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1968–1971 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:19
Torsken kommunestyre 1964–1967 [26]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:15
Torsken herredsstyre 1960–1963 [27]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 11
Total number of members:15
Torsken herredsstyre 1956–1959 [28]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 7
Total number of members:15
Torsken herredsstyre 1952–1955 [29]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:12
Torsken herredsstyre 1948–1951 [30]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 4
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:12
Torsken herredsstyre 1945–1947 [31]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders (Arbeidere, fiskere, småbrukere liste) 2
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 4
Total number of members:12
Torsken herredsstyre 1938–1941* [32]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 5
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:12
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

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The mayor (Norwegian: ordfører) of Torsken was the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:

  • 1902-1910: Edvard Pedersen[33]
  • 1911-1916: M.F. Carlsen[34]
  • 1917-1919: Christian Eilertsen[35]
  • 1920-1923: M.F. Carlsen[36]
  • 1923-1928: Harry Alvær (V)[37]
  • 1928-1932: M.F. Carlsen[38]
  • 1932-1934: Harry Alvær (V)[37]
  • 1935-1941: Ingvald Johansen (V)[39]
  • 1941-1942: Harry Alvær (V)[40]
  • 1942-1945: Hjalmar Johansen[41]
  • 1945-1945: Ingvald Johansen (V)[42]
  • 1946-1951: Arthur Brox (V)[43]
  • 1951-1955: Arne Andreassen (Ap)[44]
  • 1956-1957: Ingvald Johansen (V)[39]
  • 1958-1959: Arne Andreassen (Ap)[45]
  • 1960-1963: Ingvald Johansen (V)[46]
  • 1964-1967: Konrad Fagerthun (Ap)[47]
  • 1968-1975: Ottar Jakobsen (Ap)[48]
  • 1975-1979: Ottar Alver (Ap)
  • 1979-1983: Oddmund Thobiassen (Ap)
  • 1983-1987: Atle Hilmarsen (Ap)
  • 1987-1991: Annie Ingvarda Halvorsen (Ap)
  • 1991-2007: Hans Peder Pedersen (Sp)
  • 2007–2019: Fred Flakstad (Ap)

Geography

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Torsken was a rugged area along the west coast of the island of Senja. Many different fjords cut into its mountainous coastline including Sifjorden, Selfjorden, Torskefjorden, Gryllefjorden, and Skipsfjorden. Between mountain peaks that ranged from 600 to 1,000 metres (2,000 to 3,300 ft), there were deep valleys and narrow depressions. The highest point in the municipality was the 963.4-metre (3,161 ft) tall mountain Kvænan.[1] Many of the valleys contained marshes or lakes. The bedrock under Torsken consisted mostly of gneiss and granite.[14]

Climate

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Climate data for Gryllefjord, Torsken
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.5
(27.5) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		1.3
(34.3) 		5.4
(41.7) 		9.0
(48.2) 		11.5
(52.7) 		11.3
(52.3) 		7.8
(46.0) 		4.1
(39.4) 		0.6
(33.1) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		3.6
(38.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 107
(4.2) 		93
(3.7) 		87
(3.4) 		76
(3.0) 		55
(2.2) 		67
(2.6) 		77
(3.0) 		91
(3.6) 		114
(4.5) 		150
(5.9) 		128
(5.0) 		130
(5.1) 		1,175
(46.3)
Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute[49]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 12 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  3. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  4. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (26 January 2023). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2018). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  6. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  7. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  8. ^ "Senja kommune 2020" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  9. ^ Vermes, Thomas (29 March 2017). "Stortingsflertallet gjør fire Senja-kommuner til én". ABC Nyheter (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  10. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1911). Norske gaardnavne: Tromsø amt (in Norwegian) (17 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 77.
  11. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Torsken, Troms (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 30 May 1990. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  14. ^ a b Store norske leksikon. "Torsken" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  15. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  17. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Troms Romsa". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  30. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  33. ^ "Ordfører". Adresseavisen (in Norwegian). 13 December 1904. p. 3. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Kommunevalgene". Senjens Blad (in Norwegian). 10 December 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  35. ^ "Amtets nyvalgte ordførere for 1917-1919". Harstad Tidende (in Norwegian). 15 February 1917. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Ordførervalg". Haalogaland (in Norwegian). 23 December 1919. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Ungdommelig 80-åring Gryllefjord". Harstad Tidende (in Norwegian). 22 February 1962. p. 5. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Ordførervalg". Harstad Tidende (in Norwegian). 24 December 1928. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  39. ^ a b "Borgerlig ordfører i Torsken". Nordlys (in Norwegian). 30 December 1955. p. 4. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Nye ordførere i Nordland og Troms fylker". Nordlandsposten (in Norwegian). 22 February 1941. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  41. ^ "Ny ordfører i Torsken". Harstad Tidende (in Norwegian). 21 September 1942. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  42. ^ "Kommunestyrer". Tromsø (in Norwegian). 5 June 1945. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  43. ^ "Ordførervalgen i Troms". Nordlys (in Norwegian). 2 January 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  44. ^ "Arbeiderpartiet styrket sin stilling i Troms fylkesting". Folkeviljen (in Norwegian). 4 January 1953. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  45. ^ "Ny ordfører i Torsken". Harstad Tidende (in Norwegian). 13 December 1957. p. 4. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  46. ^ "Ny ordfører i Torsken". Harstad Tidende (in Norwegian). 17 December 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  47. ^ "Fagerthun ordfører i Torsken". Lofotposten (in Norwegian). 14 December 1963. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Ottar Jakobsen blir ordfører i Torsken". Tromsø (in Norwegian). 28 December 1966. p. 5. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  49. ^ "eKlima Web Portal". Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.

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