Freedom of the Seas examines how power structures, globalization, and capitalism challenge democratic rights, such as public access to the sea, and consequently impacts living conditions for both individuals and societies along the coast of Norway.

The fishing industry is Norway's second-largest source of income after oil. How is the opportunity to make a living from fishing distributed in the Norwegian continental shelf? Who can buy fishing quotas, and how much do they cost? Who are the owners?

These seemingly simple questions turn out to be complicated for Norwegian authorities to respond to.

The project is based on an interview Hermansen conducted with former Norwegian Supreme Court Justice Professor Carsten Smith, who presided over the Coastal Fisheries Committee in 2009. The report established that people living in fjords and along the coastline have historically enjoyed special fishing rights. The Stoltenberg government, along with Fisheries Minister Helga Pedersen, rejected the report, much to the disappointment of the Coastal Fisheries Committee, the Sami people, and the coastal population in general.

The title Freedom of the Seas derives from a legal principle put forward in the 17th century by philosopher and jurist Hugo Grotius. Essentially, the principle limited national rights and jurisdiction over the seas to a narrow strip surrounding nations' coastlines. The seas were declared free for all and should not belong to anyone. This situation only changed in the middle of the twentieth century, when naval states became a driving force in expanding national claims over offshore resources.

The film revolves around fisherman Svein Harald Holmen from Vardø and his dreams and hopes for a future as a fisherman. Despite political and economic obstacles, Holmen is investing in a new harbor. We also meet Professor Peter Ørebeck, an expert in fisheries law from the Arctic University in Tromsø. He states that the fishing quota system is a "robbery of the commons." The quota the fisherman received for free in 1972 enabled him to sell a boat that cost 1 million NOK for 8 million in 1978. Today, the market value is NOK 1 billion for the same quota.

In the National Audit Office's investigation into the quota system in coastal and sea fishing, Document 3:6 (2019-2020), it is pointed out: "It is objectionable that there is no systematized and publicly available information on quota prices in Norway."

This lack of transparency makes it difficult to pursue a fisheries policy that ensures only large-scale commercial fishing businesses have the opportunity to operate as a source of income.

The National Audit Office report further shows that 80% of quota ownership is held by large fishing groups, not individual businesses.

The project is supported by KORO, KIN, Fritt Ord, the Norwegian Art Council and Pikene på Broen.

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