Ballard resident Kristin Hoelting is now studying salmon restoration efforts at the University of Bergen in Norway as part of a Fulbright scholarship.

"The biology department is working on fishing issues, salmon restoration the aquaculture and impacts on the environment," she said.

She grew up in Petersburg, Alaska, a fishing town of 3,000 people.

"It's known as 'Alaska's Little Norway.' People moved there from Ballard in 1898," said Hoelting. The town has its own Sons of Norway hall and celebrates May 17 with a parade.

In Petersburg, Hoelting was exposed to commercial fishing and became interested in the harvesting and preservation of salmon.

When Hoelting moved to Ballard she studied Norwegian language at the Nordic Heritage Museum and sang with the Norwegian Ladies Chorus.

She maintained her love of the sea working as a commercial fisherman. Hoelting was often the only woman on the crews. She estimates that one in every 20 boats had a woman on it.

In Alaska's Bristol Bay, above the Aleutian chain, the waters were teaming with sockeye salmon this summer.

"It's the world's largest sockeye salmon run. It's pretty amazing to see," said Hoelting.

"There are a lot of people from Ballard and the Puget Sound area fishing up there. There's a big migration of fishermen to that area in the summer," said Hoelting.

This summer was a production one. "You don't sleep much, it was a good season," said Hoelting.

Her mother is Norwegian and she has relatives in Norway. "I look forward to getting to know that side of the family," said Hoelting.

Salmon fishing ended in Norway during the 1970s and 1980s when the stock declined.

Many Norwegians who depended on salmon fishing, developed salmon farming techniques and now export that knowledge all over the world.

The impact of farmed fish on the small remaining wild population is something Hoelting wants to look into. She plans on going to small fishing communities on the coast of Norway where people rely on salmon and used to fish for it.

During her coastal visits, she will talk to people about their views on salmon and if they think wild salmon is important.

In the Pacific Northwest, Salmon is a cultural icon and a symbol of the region. Cod fish, used to make lutefisk, is the cultural symbol in Norway said Hoelting.

She is asking people in Ballard and Seattle to e-mail her questions they would like her to ask in the Norwegian coast cities.

"What are the relevant questions to ask, to be able to come back and talk about later? What would they want to ask, if they had an opportunity to go to coastal towns in Norway?,," Hoelting said.

"she said.

When Hoelting returns next fall, she is hoping to attend graduate school at the University of Washington.

Anyone wishing to send Hoelting comments or questions about salmon restoration can e-mail via deanw@robinsonnews.com.