Over 100 fishermen headed out to sea off Cape Town recently to reel in some of the ocean’s greatest scourge – plastic. In recognition of World Ocean Day, 20 boats took part in Africa’s first Plastic Fishing Tournament, covering over 30-square kilometres of the Atlantic Ocean and retrieving 300kg of plastic debris within three hours. The tournament and the impact of marine … [Read more...]
Communities call out questionable oil and gas projects
It has been two years since The Green Connection, under its Who Stole Our Oceans campaign, started working with coastal communities whose livelihoods are being threatened by offshore oil and gas projects. The initiative is focused on protecting the oceans, particularly through opposing offshore oil and gas. In addition, and critical to the campaign, is empowering coastal … [Read more...]
Mining threatens fisheries in the West Coast
Coastal mining along the West Coast is expanding at an alarming rate, increasingly threatening the environment and livelihoods of small-scale fisheries and coastal communities. Currently there are many different companies that have applied for or been allocated permits and right for oil and gas exploration as well as prospecting or mining on coastal land, the beaches, in the … [Read more...]
Revision of SA’s Integrated Resource Plan needed
With legal action in progress against the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), Karpowerships SA and the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, The Green Connection says it is happy that no Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the companies were signed, today. The Green Connection's Strategic Lead Liziwe McDaid says, “As the climate crisis intensifies, South … [Read more...]
Communities speak out against Wild Coast seismic surveys
In the run-up to next week’s highly contentious court hearings to stop Shell’s seismic surveys and any further bids to explore the Wild Coast for offshore oil and gas, communities in the Eastern Cape are speaking out against traditional leaders who, at the end of April, following secret meetings with Minister Gwede Mantashe (in February 2022), agreed to support oil and gas … [Read more...]
Protecting SA’s oceans from offshore oil and gas
Yesterday, The Green Connection launched its public awareness and information sharing campaign – which is part of a bigger initiative, called Who Stole Our Oceans – in a bid to stop further government investment in fossil fuels, particularly offshore oil, and gas. According to The Green Connection’s Strategic Lead Liziwe McDaid, the goal of the public campaign is to … [Read more...]
Answering nature’s call for help
The international premier of season two of the hit, short format documentary series, Free Range Humans, took place in Cape Town yesterday, attended by five of the six international eco-activist cast members who have heeded the call to help save the planet, its diverse ecosystems and marine life. Also in the cast is South Africa’s Loyiso Dunga who is fighting to help save the … [Read more...]
Small-scale fishers wave goodbye to Searcher
Human Rights Month kicked off with a fresh new meaning for the small-scale fishing and indigenous communities on the West Coast, when the Western Cape High Court ruled that the ban against Searcher’s seismic blasting would remain because small-scale fishing communities on the West Coast – who would undoubtedly be affected – were not consulted. And since there are several … [Read more...]
Small-scale fishers hopeful for a court ruling to stop seismic surveys
Small-scale fishers from communities in the West Coast – joined by The Green Connection – were back in court Thursday to finally put a stop to Searcher’s seismic blasting of the west and south-west coast of South Africa. The Western Cape High Court heard arguments to decide if the ban – which took effect on 7 February when the Honourable Justice Thulare directed Searcher to … [Read more...]
Seismic court ruling another win for small-scale fishers
On Monday after “incredibly tense” court arguments, the Western Cape High Court ruled that the ban – originally issued on 7 February – on Searcher’s seismic blasting of the west and south-west coast of South Africa, stays in place. Foreign companies Searcher Geodata UK Limited and Searcher Seismic (Australia) challenged the earlier interim order directing it to discontinue … [Read more...]
Iceland fish oil producer certification renewed
Friend of the Sea, the global certification standard for products and services that respect and protect the marine environment, is pleased to renew LYSI certification for sustainable practices in producing fish oil for Omega-3 supplements. The company, certified since 2013, can thus continue to display the Friend of the Sea label on its bulk and consumer-ready … [Read more...]
Oxfam cautions against mining in Lower Zambezi
Oxfam in Southern Africa has expressed concern over the ongoing and highly controversial Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) mining saga and cautions the Zambian government on the move to proceed with mining activity in the national park. On 31st January 2022, media reports cited the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment as having indicated that the embattled open-pit … [Read more...]
Festival celebrates connection between humans and the ocean
In the wake of a receding Covid pandemic, a theme of ocean rejuvenation and conservation underscores an exciting in-person line up at the 19th annual Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival, happening in Cape Town from 1 to 11 March 2022. Festival Director Shani Judes said: “In this difficult era in human history, we feel it is important to recognise and promote the symbiotic … [Read more...]
