The Tribune

By ANNELIA NIXON

Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

Environmental advocates yesterday warned of the risk of whale strandings due to the SpaceX rocket booster landing scheduled for today through February 24.

The Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO), a Bahamian non-profit organisation promoting conservation of marine mammals through research and education, in a statement pointed to a dead beaked whale whose fatality coincided with the last booster landing that occurred in February 2025.

“SpaceX will be landing its Falcon 9 boosters in Exuma Sound, a deep-water basin that serves as prime habitat for beaked whales - species known to be especially sensitive to human-generated noise,” that statement read. “Because Falcon 9 booster landings produce intense acoustic disturbances, the plan raises concerns about potential impacts on these protected marine mammals.

“Given that a beaked whale was found dead coincident with the first booster landing last February, scientists at the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO) reiterate their concern that additional whales may die during the future planned landings.

“BMMRO asks the public in Exuma, Eleuthera and Cat Island to please keep an eye out for distressed whales. If you see a whale close to shore or in shallow water, or find a dead whale, immediately report your sighting to The Bahamas Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline (242) 805-4585.”

The Bahamas Port Department, meanwhile, issued a notice to mariners advising them to avoid a list of hazardous areas. “This is a safety advisory notice for vessels operating in Exuma Sound, Bahamas, during the period of February 17 through 24, 2026,” the notice read.

“During the mentioned period, Starlink G10-36 will be landed in Exuma Sound, Bahamas. All vessels are strongly advised to avoid the hazardous areas defined during the specific dates.” 

Airlines are also keeping an eye on the landings with Bahamasair monitoring the launch of the SpaceX rocket, prepared to adjust its flights if necessary.

“Bahamasair is aware of the launch scheduled for tomorrow,” a statement from the national national carrier said. “Our operations team is closely monitoring the situation to see if it will have any impact on flight operations. We are prepared to adjust any flights should that become necessary.”

Another Bahamian Airline, Western Air, said it does not have flights at that time. Sarah Swainson, the private charters and business development manager for Makers Air, which services The Bahamas, said the airline has a 4pm departure out of Eleuthera scheduled but does not anticipate any service disruptions.

SpaceX has also been known to conduct its landing exercises close to Eleuthera. Ms Swainson noted that Makers Air has nothing scheduled for Exuma today.

“We will be departing late afternoon from North Eleuthera, Andros, Berry Islands and Long Island tomorrow with no disruptions anticipated,” she told Tribune Business.