- Simon’s Town residents and activists gathered outside the SA Navy base on Thursday 25 January to protest underground explosions used for naval exercises near Seaforth Beach.
- On Monday 15 January, the SA Navy gave notice of a planned “underwater explosive exercise” to take place from 10:30 to 17:30 on Monday 22 January to Thursday 1 February.
- Organiser of the event Lisa Garson said it was disturbing that underwater explosions were taking place near the Boulders African penguin colony as the wildlife were a protected species.
Simon’s Town residents and activists gathered outside the SA Navy base on Thursday 25 January to protest underground explosions used for naval exercises near Seaforth Beach.
On Monday 15 January, the SA Navy gave notice of a planned “underwater explosive exercise” to take place from 10:30 to 17:30 on Monday 22 January to Thursday 1 February.
Organiser of the event Lisa Garson said it was disturbing that underwater explosions were taking place near the Boulders African penguin colony as the wildlife were a protected species.
“I am a concerned citizen of Simon’s Town, and we are trying to stop the SA Navy from carrying out underground explosions. They think that they have every right to do this just because it has been done for the past 60 years.
“The Navy is planning to have explosions close to the Boulders African penguin colony.
“These penguins are a protected and endangered species. We would like the Navy to do a new environmental assessment.”
Garson compared the underground blasting to someone shooting live rounds in a neighbourhood.
“Given the proximity to the endangered penguin colony and the value of all the biodiversity in the area, we oppose any damage that may be caused.
“We demand transparency about these destructive military blasting activities, including their use, necessity, and potential environmental impact.
“We demand that these exercises be called off until a thorough environmental impact assessment has been done by independent scientists.”
Last week, South African National Parks (SANParks) senior leadership confirmed that they have engaged the SA Navy regarding the bombing exercises.
SANParks Head of Communication and spokesperson JP Louw said biologists have been enlisted to monitor the impact on the environment, including the African Penguin colony.
“Our marine biologists enlisted hydrophone and camera equipment to monitor the environment underwater before and during the exercises. This will give us data on impacts experienced which will guide the approach SANParks and the Navy can adopt.
“All parties are expected to agree on the most appropriate solution that should not undermine the Navy’s ability to perform its role whilst avoiding potential impact on an endangered bird species which is the African Penguin, and the colony we conserve at Boulders Beach.”
Meanwhile, on social media, residents had mixed reactions regarding the bombing exercises.
“Please let them do their business. It’s necessary to test the equipment . . . rather stop the slaughter of fish with the nets on Fish Hoek beach where more than 70 tons of fish [were] caught,” one resident commented.
Another resident agreed: “While precautions are taken, it’s important to note that some level of impact on marine life is inevitable during naval operations.
“The challenge is to strike a balance between maintaining national security through effective naval testing and operations and minimising adverse effects on the marine environment.”
A third resident, however, disagreed.
“After all the fires, more trauma to wildlife.”
