A judge has ruled that oil giant Shell immediately ceases it seismic survey off the Wild Coast.
The interdict was granted in the Grahamstown High Court in Makhanda on Tuesday 28 December.
In response to the court decision, Shell said in a statement that it respected the court’s decision and had suspended the survey while reviewing the judgment.
The National Council of the SPCA, reacting to the ruling, said in a statement it was a relief and an interim victory.
“The survey, which consisted of air guns being blasted into the sea every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, was being carried out in search of oil and gas beneath the seabed.
“The NSPCA formally expressed its concern regarding the danger to marine life to both Shell and the South African government, but received no response from either of the parties.
“In the judgment handed down, the NSPCA finds a sense of relief and celebrates this interim victory for the voiceless in the sea.”
Environmentalists, fishing communities and residents voiced their disapproval across South Africa at various protest actions against Shell’s seismic survey in December.
NSPCA Executive Director Marcelle Meredith added that the ruling was a light at the end of a dark tunnel.
“Research proves more and more each year that animals have the ability to think and feel. Just because these animals live in the sea and they cannot be cuddled does not mean they feel any less or should matter to us less. This is a small light at the end of a dark tunnel when it comes to our marine life.”
Shell South Africa chair Hloniphizwe Mtolo in an open letter on 9 December addressed the many questions regarding the seismic survey.
“In recent days, questions and concerns have been raised about Shell’s activities in the ocean off the Wild Coast of South Africa.
“Our country currently remains dependent on coal, oil and gas for its energy needs. This means that, as we transition to a lower and eventually a zero-carbon emissions future, we need to continue to provide the energy South Africa needs today.
“Finding resources offshore could significantly contribute to?our energy independence, as well as the government’s economic development programmes, whilst providing many local job opportunities.”
Mtolo added that around 35 seismic surveys had previously been done in South Africa.
“The sound produced during seismic surveys is comparable to many naturally occurring and other man-made ocean sounds, including wind and wave action, rainstorms, marine life and shipping.
“This won’t be the first time a seismic survey is done in South Africa’s seas; around 35 have taken place in recent years with no reported significant negative impact on marine life.”
Patrick Dowling, chair of the Wildlife Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) Western Cape Region, joined a protest march against the seismic survey at Muizenberg beach on Sunday 5 December (“Residents unite against seismic survey”, People’s Post, 7 December).
At the time, he said: “We only have a certain amount of fossil fuels that we can still use. All the rest must be left unexploited and the big oil and other companies don’t seem to get this and governments keep on providing them the space.”
He added that it is more about the climate change impact.
“We know that it’s leading to not only global warming as in the Earth but also to ocean warming which is bad for a whole lot of organisms from small to big that have adapted to temperature changes over thousands of years, not over decades, which is happening.”
