Bear Island
Approximately half way between the Norwegian mainland and the archipelago of Svalbard lies Bear Island (Bjornoya). This large rock outcropping that comes out of the ocean is home to many pelagic sea birds including puffins (Fratercula arctica), black guillemots (Cepphus grille), brunnich’s guillemots (Uria lomvia), common guillemots (Uria aalge), and kittiwake’s (Rissa tridactyla) to name a few. With a source of natural fertilizer known as guano the kelp on the sea floor in this region would be expected to be lush. My theory was correct upon inspection with scuba gear… it was as if entering an underwater forest. Brown algae known, as kelp was lush and healthy as it flowed back and forth in the surge. The picture above gives some idea as to how lush the brown algae known as kelp can grow.
Approximately half way between the Norwegian mainland and the archipelago of Svalbard lies Bear Island (Bjornoya). This large rock outcropping that comes out of the ocean is home to many pelagic sea birds including puffins (Fratercula arctica), black guillemots (Cepphus grille), brunnich’s guillemots (Uria lomvia), common guillemots (Uria aalge), and kittiwake’s (Rissa tridactyla) to name a few. With a source of natural fertilizer known as guano the kelp on the sea floor in this region would be expected to be lush. My theory was correct upon inspection with scuba gear… it was as if entering an underwater forest. Brown algae known, as kelp was lush and healthy as it flowed back and forth in the surge. The picture above gives some idea as to how lush the brown algae known as kelp can grow.
