By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian marine mammal scientists last night blasted the lack of consultation over today’s SpaceX rocket booster return as they voiced fears it will land in Exuma Sound’s whale habitat.

The Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation, in a statement, said: “Space X is planning to land their Falcon 9 booster far out to sea to keep people safe, which is critical, but unfortunately the site chosen offshore has placed the landing in a whale habitat without any consultation with Bahamian whale researchers.

“Exuma Sound is home to resident and migratory whales, all of which are protected species under The Bahamas Marine Mammal Protection Act. Of concern are resident beaked whales as these whales are particularly vulnerable to man-made noise and have died in our waters in the past following navy sonar exercises.

“Beaked whales’ primary habitat is in depths of 3,000 feet; the same depth chosen for the location of the booster landing, an extremely noisy event,” the non-profit added. “Another concern is the timing. During winter months, humpback whales with their newborn calves migrate through Bahamian waters, with most sightings occurring in Exuma Sound.

“Humpback whales have finally recovered from whaling but face threats from many other human impacts. A pregnant female humpback whale died last week in Eleuthera and aborted her full-term calf post-mortem.”

Calling for the Government to release all details concerning environmental impact assessments and other research related to SpaceX’s rocket booster, the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation said: “Without public access to information concerning the noise, debris, and emissions generated during the landing it is impossible to understand the risks that the Space X landing poses to Bahamian marine life, highlighting the need for our Freedom of Information Act to be fully enacted.

“Understanding there will be impacts to whales during Space X’s landings in offshore waters of the United States, Space X needed an exemption from the US Marine Mammal Protection Act. Has the Bahamian Government done the same?

“Furthermore, for a foreign commercial company to operate in The Bahamas at this scale, we would expect an Environmental Impact Assessment to be required under our Environmental Planning and Protection Act. Has this occurred? Regardless, a crucial part of that process is sharing knowledge through public consultation to improve mitigation measures and limit impacts on the environment.

“We respectfully request the Government of The Bahamas to release information pertaining to the environmental impacts that are being used to assess the risks of the booster landings.”