The Mormonts should be an extension of the nights watch. (Spoilers main)

Their proximity to the wall naturally results in a deep connection to the watch, and I assume the old bear was not the first Mormont to hold high office either. But more than that, unlike the east, where the wall reaches all the way to the coast, in the west, the wall stops short of the sea somewhere on the mountains.

This means unlike EastWatch, the wall has no naval presence on its western coast. And it’s also on its western coast that wilding naval raids have historically taken place, especially on bear island.

The Starks won bear island in a wrestling match, why not give it to the watch to help sure up its western borders? I mean it’s bang in the center of the north western coast, sitting perfectly to oversee that entire section of coastal settlements down the Stoney shore.

They have the timber to build ships, locals on bear island primarily fish the seas, so they have experience sailing ships. The woman already defend the land. They should act as a semi-autonomous region of the watch. Acting in coordination with them.

The northern seas around bear island teem with fish. These could easily be caught and pickled for long term winter food storage. Finally, it would also provide the north with a western naval presence against any iron borne incursions as well.