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. 

The nature reserve Bear Island is the southernmost island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, and is situated 235km south east of Spitsbergen and 400km north/north west of the Norwegian mainland. 

Bear Island has the biggest seabird colony in the northern hemisphere. Every year approx. 1.5 million birds nest here. 126 species have been registered at the island, 33 of the species actually nest on the island. Several of the nesting species are threatened or endangered such as Guillemots and kittiwakes.

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.