NASSAU, New Providence - The Bahamas Petroleum Company plc (BPC) announced today that it has completed
environmental sensitivity maps of coastal area habitats, fauna and flora and
sensitive receptors to allow the Company, any stakeholders or agencies to have
a better understanding and appreciation of coastal life and usage.
“The Company recognized there was a
need to create a series of environmental sensitivity maps (ESM) for a large area
across the islands of The Bahamas,” said Ms. Roberta Quant, BPC Environmental Scientist.
“In the case of any tangible or credible threat to the environment, these maps
could guide and inform anyone, including ourselves, to those sensitive areas
that require immediate attention; in other words, it allows any responders to
prioritize and maximize protection efforts in specified areas. Our extensive mapping
encompassed the oceans and coastlines for critical habitats, usage, natural
communities and wildlife occurrences which allowed the identification of sensitive
receptors that exist in the area. With this information we then created a
further set of maps that we call environmental sensitivity index maps which further
classifies in greater detail individual coastlines and combines information on
species distribution, ecosystem ecology, oceanography and resource use.”
Mr. Simon Potter BPC CEO added. “Fortunately,
BPC’s exploration locations are some distance from identified, mapped sensitive
habitats. But importantly, in order to
initiate any effective response no matter where the perceived threat originates,
it is imperative to know precisely how to access areas requiring the most urgent
attention. This, to mobilise equipment and resources to help the authorities in
any threatening situation, to affect an appropriate and immediate response in
order to ensure those areas that demand it are adequately, appropriately and
correctly protected.”
The maps were created with the help of local islanders, scientific
experts, local fishermen, government agencies, local environmental
non-governmental organizations, local research organizations and even real
estate agencies. Collated, the information included their view of priorities in
highlighting critical and natural wildlife communities, their activities and
habitats that may have the potential to be impacted if any natural or uncommon
threat emerged. For instance, they show us such things as the turtle nesting
beaches, blue holes, important birding areas, coral reefs, sea grass beds and
wetlands.
Mr. Potter explained that anywhere in the world where a threat to the
environment may become apparent, the need to know, in advance, the most exposed
areas, the most sensitive or the most sensitized to any particular threat, is
crucial in ensuring scarce resources are mobilized for maximum protection.
The Sensitivity Maps, and the Indexes that go with them, Ms. Quant went
on to say, were started from scratch.
“Communities and agencies voluntarily assisted in the creation of the
maps, though at least initially, with very little to go on. But with a series of site visits, local dialogues,
inspections and surveys across the Family Islands involving really anyone or
any group with a view or pertinent information, knowledge or interest over
these huge, huge areas of The Bahamas, things gradually came together. The
creation of the Environmental Sensitivity and Index Maps took nearly a year to
complete and will serve as a foundation for any management plans for the safeguarding
of the environment for present and future generations.”
For further information BPC’s Annual Reports and all other company
information can be found at www.bpcplc.com and at http://www.best.bs/index.html
for the BEST Commission which has the complete list of all the regulatory
required measures put in place and met by BPC including the Environmental
Impact Assessment.
BPC: Oil Exploration has been in The Bahamas since the 1940s