Seismic Surveys
2021
2022
Close To 200 People Rise At Crack of Dawn to Protest the Arrival of Shell’s Seismic Monster, Amazon Warrior
On Sunday morning, (21 November 2021), before the crack of dawn, nearly 200 concerned environmental defenders took to the Waterfront to get a glimpse of Shell’s seismic testing vessel, Amazon Warrior, as it made its way into Cape Town harbour. The vessel travelled down the West coast of Africa, on its way to the Wild Coast, to conduct seismic surveys for an estimated five (5) months. The Green Connection’s Strategic Lead Liziwe McDaid says, “We were expecting a small contingent of about fifteen (15) or so people to show up to protest against this ship, commissioned by Shell to conduct seismic testing off the Wild Coast, but these numbers, this early on a precious Sunday morning, demonstrates that people are adamant that they want change.”
In partnership with environmental organizations we opposed Shell seismic surveys off the Wild Coast. On the 30th of November the Green Connection with partners submitted their objection of Shell’s seismic surveys to SLR consulting. Green organizations and activists took legal actions against Shell seismic surveys and won the court interdict on the 28th of December 2021. READ MORE
Civil Society Heads Back To Court, This Time To Stop Seismic Surveys Off The West Coast
After winning the court case against Shell seismic surveys on the Wild Coast the Department of Mineral Energy and Resources said Searcher the holder of a Reconnaissance Permit would undertake 2D and 3D seismic surveys off the West Coast. Small-scale fishers with the support of Green Connection headed back to court in a bid to stop seismic surveys off the West Coast followed by a nationwide protest which was held on the 23rd of January 2022.
The Green Connection Ready For Searcher Fight, Round 2
In November, COP27 sees world leaders and other important decision-makers meet to discuss global efforts to address the climate crisis. Recent press reports have revealed that the country is the world’s 13th biggest source of climate-warming greenhouse gases and has pledged to reduce these emissions to net zero by 2050. Yet, the government continues to promote offshore oil and gas exploitation. READ MORE
Communities Speak Out Against Traditional Leaders Who Support Shell Seismic Surveys on Wild Coast Eastern Cape
CGG Seismic Survey 2.0 Appeal Submission
Communities argue that Shell needed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and that there has been insufficient consultation. READ MORE
Civil Society Impatiently Waiting For Shell’s Wild Coast Seismic Surveys To Be Stopped, For Good
Since the announcement of Shell seismic surveys on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape last year, outraged communities and environmental organisations took the company to court following a flawed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and failed community consultations. READ MORE
Shell Verdict: Evidence That In Standing Together, Coastal Communities Can Be The Masters Of Their Own Ships
“Civil society, traditional communities and small-scale have once again been vindicated by the courts. Well done to our comrades for staying the course of this fight against Shell, to protect our oceans and the rights of those communities who will be affected.” This is the message from The Green Connection, an eco-justice organisation opposed to offshore oil and gas exploitation. READ MORE
Small-Scale Fishers Celebrate Victory After Makanda High Court Sets Aside Shell’s Oil Exploration
The wait is finally over for the Wild Coast communities and civil society when, on 1 September 2022, the Makhanda High court ruled that the decision to grant the exploration right is set aside, as well as the decision to grant the renewal of this right. The decision to grant a further, second renewal, has also been set aside for Shell. READ MORE
2024
The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Shell appealed the judgement handed down on September 2022 in Makhanda High court against Shell seismic surveys in the Wild Coast. The hearing of the appeal will be heard on the 17th of May 2024 in Bloemfontein high court.
(28 August) The Green Connection welcomes the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Shell and Impact Africa’s appeal regarding their exploration rights off the Wild Coast. According to The Green Connection’s Liz/Neville, “This decision is a significant victory for the communities on the Wild Coast and for all South Africans who value environmental and climate justice. However, the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) suspension of the High Court’s order remains deeply troubling. Not only does it allow the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to consider renewing an invalid right, thereby undermining the communities’ hard-won protections, but it also sets a dangerous precedent.”
Green Connection has submitted appeals on CGG Seismic Survey 2.0 in the hopes that Department of Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Minister Creecy will stand up for the environment and the people who depend on the coasts for their livelihoods.
