Gåsøyane is located in the Svalbard archipelago, in the inner part of Isfjorden, and consists of two small, partially vegetated islands with a few freshwater ponds and cliffs suitable for nesting seabirds. The Site is among the most important Spitsbergen localities for the nesting common eider (Somateria mollissima) and the barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis), with over 4% of global populations supported by the Site. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) regularly visit. In addition, approximately 1,000 pairs of the vulnerable Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) breed here. In the past, and sporadically still today, the Site has been used for the collection of eider eggs and down. The Site is not used for recreation or tourism, and the regulations for the nature reserve ban visits over summer months due to the birds’ breeding season. Some research and biodiversity monitoring have been conducted in the area, but due to its remoteness, the Site is rarely visited.