Coastal communities rally against seismic surveys

A united front was recently presented by various communities in the south of Durban and the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal calling for oil giant, Shell, to stop with their seismic surveying on the Wild Coast.

Thousands of South Africans heeded the call to action to be part of this nationwide gathering in coalition with Oceans Not Oil and the KZN Mid-South Coast Ocean Supporters NPO (KMOS). While the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) together with the KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum (KZNSFF) and other environmental organisations also staged protests at local beaches.

Claire Taylor, co-founder of KMOS, said they were overwhelmed by the support shown by demonstrators last weekend, 5 December. “I am so overwhelmed at the support we saw from our communities on Sunday and would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to voice our collective outcry that our very own legal system has failed us.”

“It is now condoning of ‘less-than-ethical loopholes’ to continue against the backdrop of our climate crisis. We are already seeing the devastating results of climate change throughout the world and yet such backwards-thinking, profit-driven, fossil fuel exploration will still continue to deplete our oceans of their resources, and the very lifeblood of planet Earth. Are we beyond the tipping point?” Taylor asked.

According to the SDCEA, seismic testing disturbs the communication, navigation and eating habits essential to the survival of marine wildlife. The sonic waves can also damage fish with air bladders, destroy marine wildlife eggs and larvae, and cause fish and other marine species to temporarily migrate away from the affected area.

Desmond D’sa fron SDCEA said the purpose of this protest was to send a message to Shell bosses and shareholders, to stop the company from carrying out seismic surveying on the Wild Coast.

“This oil and gas drilling will not only affect our marine biodiversity and livelihoods but it will also add to climate change. SDCEA, its allies and communities across South Africa are collectively calling for Shell to stop oil and gas exploration; there are alternatives, no to oil and gas drilling and yes to fishing, swimming, surfing and a healthy ocean. Climate change is a critical issue that has catastrophic consequences like extreme weather conditions which we see with cyclone Eloise.”

Central to the objection is Shell’s 3D seismic survey of an area from Morgan Bay to Port St Johns which will map out potential oil and gas deposits using military-grade seismic cannons, or “airguns”. These guns will fire deafening shock-wave emissions of over 200 decibels every 10 seconds for 24 hours a day and will continue to do so for the next five months.

Taylor said: “The sound emissions will result in juveniles not being able to suckle because they will be separated from the mother due to these detrimental human causes. We cannot simply sit back and watch capitalistic exploits kill what we desperately need to save. We are calling on our international stakeholders to put pressure on the South African Government and its corporate counterparts to hold them accountable for the hefty promises made at COP26 hardly a month ago.”

The KZN Mid-South Coast gathering included objections on the shore, on the water and in the air. Ocean lovers and marine-based businesses went out onto the water, with World of Wings’ aircraft flying overhead in an aeronautical display of support and capturing the event from above. Even the marine life came out in full force of the objection with dolphins swimming in among surfers and paddlers on the backline of Scottburgh Beach.