By Siyabonga Sishi
PORT EDWARD, South Africa, Dec 5 (Reuters) - South Africans
took to their beaches on Sunday to protest against plans by
Royal Dutch Shell to do seimsic oil exploration they
say will threaten marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins,
seals and penguins on a pristine coastal stretch.
A South African court on Friday struck down https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/shell-wins-court-case-start-seismic-surveys-offshore-south-africa-2021-12-03
an application brought by environmentalists to stop the oil
major exploring in the eastern seaboard's Wild Coast, rejecting
as unproven their argument that it would cause "irreparable
harm" to the marine environment, especially migrating hump-back
whales.
The Wild Coast is home of some of the country's most
undisturbed wildlife refuges, and it's stunning coastal
wildernesses are also a major tourist draw.
At least 1,000 demonstrators gathered on a beach near Port
Edward, a Reuters TV correspondent saw.
"It's just absolutely horrendous that they are even
considering this. Look around you?" said demonstrator Kas
Wilson, indicating an unspoilt stretch of beach. "It's
unacceptable and ... we will stop it."
Shell officials were not immediately available for comment,
but the company said on Friday that its planned exploration has
regulatory approval, and it will significantly contribute to
South Africa's energy security if resources are found.
But local people fear the seismic blasting conducted over
6,000 square kilometres will kill or scare away the fish they
depend on to live.
"I don't want them to operate here because if they do we
won't be able to catch fish," said 62-year-old free dive
fisherwoman Toloza Mzobe, after pulling a wild lobster from the
ground. "What are we going to eat?"
Environmentalists are urging Shell and other oil companies
to stop prospecting for oil, arguing that the world has no
chance of reaching net zero carbon by 2050 if existing oil
deposits are burned, let alone if new ones are found.
Earlier this year, a Dutch court ordered Shell to reduce its
planet warming carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels,
a decision it plans to appeal.
South Africa's environment ministry referred Reuters to a
statement late last month that "the Minister responsible for
environmental affairs is ... not mandated to consider the
application or to make a decision on the authorisation of the
seismic survey."
(Writing by Tim Cocks;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
