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In Pictures: Greenpeace travels to the Bear Island

Posted by Angela Glienicke - 21st July 2017


The Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise is currently in the Barents Sea documenting the unique and pristine environment of the Bear Island. The island has the biggest seabird colony in the northern hemisphere with 33 species nesting on the island. Statoil, the Norwegian state-owned company, is planning to drill in the area after the Norwegian government issued new licenses for drilling close to the island. These photos taken this month by onboard photographer Will Rose show the amazing beauty and wildlife of the island.

Common Guillemots (white eye) and Brunich’s Guillemot (centre) with Kapp Kolthoff and Fuglefjellet in the background.
Every year approx. 1.5 million birds nest here. 126 species have been registered at the island. Several of the nesting species are threatened or endangered such as Guillemots and Kittiwakes.
Brunich’s Guillemot
The view south to Kapp Kolthoff and Fuglefjellet, south east Bear Island.
Greenpeace voyage to Bear Island to document its unique and pristine environment after Norwegian government grant four new licenses for drilling in the 23rd licensing round.
Greenpeace voyage to Bear Island to document its unique and pristine environment after Norwegian government grant four new licenses for drilling in the 23rd licensing round.
View of Jetvika, south east Bear Island.
View of Jetvika, south east Bear Island.
A Puffin by its burrow in Sørhamna, south east Bear Island.
Kittiwakes nesting in Sørhamna, south east Bear Island.
Humpback and Minke whales spotted feeding off the south coast of Bear Island. Kittiwakes and Guillemots followed the whales feeding from the surface.
Greenpeace activist onboard the Arctic Sunrise
Arctic Sunrise in the Barents Sea


Article Tagged as: Featured, Oceans, in pictures, oceans