BAHAMAS oil drilling opponents are thanking Ballyhoo Media for its “fantastic” effort to warn South Floridians of the dangers of offshore drilling, set to commence in days just a stone’s throw away from their shores.
Over the past few weeks, Ballyhoo Media, a pioneering water-based multi-media company, hosted large digital billboards reading “Stop oil drilling in The Bahamas” and featuring images of the pristine beauty of the country’s marine environment, as well as the horrors of recent drilling disasters.
The Miami company’s custom-built barges displayed the billboards just off some of South Florida’s busiest beaches, in full view of beachgoers.
“We thank Ballyhoo Media so much for donating these fantastic billboards,” said Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, executive director of the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF). “There has been an outpouring of support from people around the world who care about The Bahamas and who are standing with the Bahamians who are opposing the plans for oil drilling.
“South Florida and The Bahamas are connected by ocean currents and we are glad that so many businesses in South Florida realise the risk that an oil drilling industry would pose to our shared fishery and coastal resources, and that they are taking action to stop the drilling.”
Ms McKinney-Lambert is a member of the steering committee for Our Islands, Our Future, a broad-based grassroots coalition that is opposing the current drill project by UK-based Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) and advocating for a permanent ban on all oil drilling in Bahamian territory. The group has attracted support from many local businesses, individuals and NGOs, and numerous international groups have flocked to the cause in recent months.
Its petition for a drilling ban is approaching 70,000 signatures.
A spokesperson for Ballyhoo Media said of the billboard effort: “We need to fight for The Bahamas. South Florida and The Bahamas are close neighbours and share many mutually beneficial relationships. Unfortunately, when it comes to offshore oil drilling in the narrow waters between our shores, we also share the danger of huge destruction to our marine ecology and local economy. As a water-based small business, we are on the front lines to fight for our oceans and marine life.
“Ballyhoo Media’s partnership with BREEF, Oceana and Our Islands, Our Future is meant to sound the alarm for our community and politicians on this urgent issue. We see this as performing a service for our own community as well as supporting our friends who are fighting this in The Bahamas.”
The billboards feature several striking images, including an aerial view of the Deepwater Horizon disaster which exploded in 2010 dumping 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, ruining whole ecosystems and fouling thousands of miles of coastline.
Other images include a pod of dolphins swimming near the proposed drill site on the west side of Andros Island. According to activists, studies have raised the alarm that BPC’s project could significantly impact marine mammals that use the area.
Award-winning nature photographer Shane Gross contributed an image of a turtle interacting with a scuba-diver. The local dive industry, an important cog in The Bahamas’ economy, is under grave threat from the drill and dive operators have spoken out in opposition to the project.
Comments
Porcupine 4 years ago
I just cannot believe that we continue to listen to these morons who argue that drilling for oil in The Bahamas is desirable, even acceptable. It is no less than a crime, knowing what we know today. Is moron not politically correct enough?
Porcupine 4 years ago
Interesting development today.
LyndenPindling 4 years ago
5 oil wells have been drilled in the Bahamas including Cay Sal & Doubloon Saxon (1987) which are both relatively close to Perseverance1. Strangely, despite relatively crude technology there were no disasters, no explosions, no leaks just like hundreds of other offshore wells. Commercial oil was never found because they drilled the wrong targets although we know oil was certainly present. The chances of finding commercial oil are c35% so no guarantees.
The hysteria needs to stop, BPC are employing top contractors and yes everybody is acutely aware of the environment sensitives. BPC have a contract with the government and if you want that cancelled it will cost in the region US $300m-$500m in compensation to add to the already $7bn national debt.
Lets no forget the following: millions of tourists arrive each year by plane and ship powered by fossil fuels, thousands of oil tankers sail through Bahamian waters each year (old enough to remember the Exxon Valdez?) and yet nobody blinks an eye when it would only take one accident and then lastly the Bahamas is home to very substantial oil storage facilities and the government recently approved a major expansion.
As the Attorney General said, the drill is perfectly legal so lets get on with it.
Porcupine 4 years ago
Not only do you have no problem with polluting our waters, you come here using names like Lynden P to pollute our democracy, our minds and this paper. Low lives is what most people would refer to you as. Leave this country alone.
LyndenPindling 4 years ago
5 oil wells have been drilled in the Bahamas including Cay Sal & Doubloon Saxon (1987) which are both relatively close to Perseverance1. Strangely, despite relatively crude technology there were no disasters, no explosions, no leaks just like hundreds of other offshore wells. Commercial oil was never found because they drilled the wrong targets although we know oil was certainly present. The chances of finding commercial oil are c35% so no guarantees.
The hysteria needs to stop, BPC are employing top contractors and yes everybody is acutely aware of the environment sensitives. BPC have a contract with the government and if you want that cancelled it will cost in the region US $300m-$500m in compensation to add to the already $7bn national debt.
Lets not forget the following: millions of tourists arrive each year by plane and ship powered by fossil fuels, thousands of oil tankers sail through Bahamian waters each year (old enough to remember the Exxon Valdez?) and yet nobody blinks an eye when it would only take one accident and then lastly the Bahamas is home to very substantial oil storage facilities and the government recently approved a major expansion.
As the Attorney General said, the drill is perfectly legal so lets get on with it.
Porcupine 4 years ago
We are tired of your stupid talk oil boys. Get the hell out of The Bahamas
ColumbusPillow 4 years ago
Porcupine, you need to take a pill.
Porcupine 4 years ago
Hey Columbo, Lynden or Banana. All one and the same to save money?
ColumbusPillow 4 years ago
How much did you pay Ballyhoo for this stunt?
Porcupine 4 years ago
"The drill" you say? Sounds like a desperate, money hungry oil man phrase to me. Sort of disrespectful to use our former PM to associate with an oily scam.
stislez 4 years ago
It crazy how the leader of our country SAYING he can't he can't stop this thing. So who run this country again? Mussy da man dem in da boat cuz obviously they came str8 here in the face of backlash like they KNOWWWW ain't nothing he cud do. Basically the pm is a coward!......das like i buy a apartment complex with a tenant who do nothing but destroy his apartment and he tellin me i can't kick him out cuz the last landlord let him sign papers saying he could stay. Wtf, if you dont get ya ass out dis place! You know what MY OWN NOW means....what i say go.....i make the law around dis b***h!
ColumbusPillow 4 years ago
LyndonPindlimg thank you for your much informed voice of opinion. The Government of Bahamas has a signed agreement with BPC to ascertain that there is commercial deposits of oil or natural gas in the Bahamas. BPC does not have the authorization to produce a drop of oil without government authorization!
For a mob of crazy, hysterical environmentalists to try to kill this test is absolute lunacy and would destroy the interest of foreign interests to ivest in this blessed country. I know of no country in the world that has ever revoked drilling licenses WITHOUT CAUSE!
Porcupine 4 years ago
"WITHOUT CAUSE" says it all. "A mob of crazy, hysterical environmentalists" Exactly what pill have you taken whereby your love of money has allowed you to destroy your soul? And you want to threaten our fisheries, our waters, our livlihoods. Get lost.
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