I noted with interest the Government’s decision to allow oil exploration on the Great Bahama Bank and, while not being against projects such as this in light of the obvious potential benefits to the Bahamas, I must sound a few words of caution.
Although I am not privy to the methodology being contemplated in this instance, the first stage in oil exploration is usually by seismic surveying. Underwater explosions of around 250 decibels are created with air guns and the underlying geology is deduced from measurements of the reflected sound waves.
Government should carefully monitor the effects on cetaceans (whales & dolphins, etc.) as these creatures use sound for communication and navigation and whale groundings may result.
Fish can be displaced by high level sound waves which in turn affects the birds, cetaceans and humans that feed on them.
Studies have shown a reduction in fish population of up to 45% within five miles of these blasts.
Once drilling commences, lubricants (known as “muds”) are pumped down the shaft to keep the drill bits cool and regulate the flow of oil and gas.
Muds consist of a variety of hydrocarbons, heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Drill cuttings are dumped on the seabed, possibly smothering seabed wild life and contaminating the surrounding areas with the aforementioned chemicals.
Rig and pipeline installation can cause further disturbance to seabed ecosystems through dredging, filling and anchoring and from the rigs come discharges of water, waste materials and sewerage plus constant noise and light pollution. There is, of course the ever present danger of spills when oil is actually discovered.
As I said at the outset, I am not against oil exploration and drilling. The discovery of oil would have a significant positive effect on our economy, but our Government must be prepared to monitor exploration and drilling carefully and build the costs of this monitoring into fee structures.
Strict standards for protection of the environment must be in place and enforced, and heavy penalties extracted for failure to abide by the rules.
As a final precaution, it would be a good idea to have funds in the form of interest-bearing deposits held in escrow to offset the costs of any and all cleanups.
Macgregor N Robertson
President, Bahamas National Trust
Letter to the Editor, The Nassau Guardian
