Petition to Uphold & Enforce The Bahamas’ Marine Mammal Protection Act (2005) Against Sonic Booms & Foreign Exploitation

To: The Government of The Bahamas, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, The Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA), and all relevant authorities

From: Concerned Citizens of The Bahamas

Date: Feb 18 2025

We Demand Accountability & Enforcement of Our Own Laws
On February 18, 2025, SpaceX was permitted to land a rocket in Bahamian waters, causing a sonic boom that disrupted our delicate marine ecosystem. This reckless decision was not only environmentally irresponsible but also a direct violation of The Bahamas' own Marine Mammal Protection Act (2005).

What The Law Says & How The Government Violated It
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (2005):

• It is illegal to harass, harm, capture, or kill marine mammals in Bahamian waters.
  It is the duty of the Bahamian government to prevent activities that cause undue stress and disruption to marine species.
  URCA and the Ministry of the Environment have a responsibility to protect marine life from excessive noise pollution, such as sonic booms.

Yet, despite this law, our leaders ignored the devastating impact of this landing on our marine ecosystem, which is vital to our economy, tourism, and national identity.

We Demand Answers & Immediate Action

1. Full Transparency on Government’s Agreement with SpaceX

• The exact amount The Bahamas received for allowing this landing.
• The full terms of the agreement between The Bahamas and SpaceX.
• Why was the public not properly informed or consulted?

2. Accountability for Those Who Approved This Violation

• Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and all officials involved must answer for this environmental negligence.
• URCA must explain their role in approving or ignoring this action.

3. Immediate Enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (2005)

• Ban all future space-related ocean landings that create sonic booms in Bahamian waters.
• Ensure independent environmental impact studies are conducted before approving foreign aerospace or industrial activities.
• Strengthen marine protection policies to prevent further government negligence in favor of foreign corporations.

4. A Public Forum on Environmental & National Sovereignty Issues

• A national consultation must take place before any agreements that impact our land, ocean, or people.
• The Bahamian public should have a say in major environmental decisions.

Why This Matters

• The Bahamas relies on marine life. Fishing and tourism sustain thousands of Bahamians. Disrupting marine ecosystems threatens our livelihoods, coral reefs, and fisheries.
• Sonic booms harm marine animals. Studies show they cause stress, disorientation, and even death among whales, dolphins, and fish.
• We cannot let our government sell out our natural resources to billionaires while we bear the consequences.

We Stand for Bahamian Sovereignty & Environmental Protection
This government allowed foreign corporations to exploit our ocean because the U.S. would not permit it in their own waters under their Marine Mammal Protection Act. Why should Bahamian waters be treated as less valuable?

If we let this happen in silence, we give permission for more underhanded deals. The next time, it could be deep-sea mining, offshore drilling, or another environmental disaster.

Sign this petition to demand accountability, enforcement of our own laws, and a ban on foreign aviation ventures that harm our marine environment!Together, we demand accountability from our leaders.

This is OUR country. OUR voices matter.

Sign and share to protect The Bahamas!