WILDOCEANS is one of several organisations including Oceans Not Oil, South Durban Community Environmental Association and Green Connection, who have submitted comment opposing the proposed offshore exploration drilling and associated activities by oil company TOTAL. There are procedural, climatic, socio-economic and ecological concerns that WILDOCEANS have raised linked to … [Read more...]
Latest oil spill further evidence of fossil fuels’ destructive risks
The arrival of the Deepsea Stavanger oil drilling rig in Cape Town yesterday has many people concerned about the risks that come along with it, especially as the current oil spill disaster in Mauritius (SA’s backyard, photographed to the right) continues to wreak havoc. It is with this in mind that The Green Connection – an NGO working to support and empower local communities … [Read more...]
Between the drillers and the deep blue sea
Environmental attorneys Adrian Pole and Kirsten Youens have lodged a detailed appeal on behalf of WILDOCEANS with the Environment, Forestry and Fishery (DEFF) Minister Barbara Creecy, challenging an authorisation granted by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to authorize foreign mining giants Eni and Sasol to drill six exploration oil wells at two deep sea locations in … [Read more...]
Environmental report understates potential catastrophe on the East Coast
In January 2018, environmental consultant ERM (Environmental Resources Management) submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application on behalf of Italian oil company Eni seeking environmental authorisation to drill up to six deep water wells offshore of the East Coast of South Africa (Block ER236) in water depths up to 3000m. On 17 September ERM notified interested … [Read more...]
New UN report highlights crimes that have serious environmental impacts
The new Report “The State of Knowledge of Crimes that have Serious Impacts on the Environment” has been published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Environmental crime is a complex type of crime that requires thorough analysis and strong coordination among different … [Read more...]
Life, the Sea and Big Oil
When I learned about the oil giant BP’s plan to drill off the coast of my home, my heart felt like it dropped out of my chest. As I write this the West Aquarius rig is well on its way to the Nova Scotian Shelf. By the time this is published, it might have already arrived. My thoughts went immediately to those oil sullied shorelines in the Gulf of Mexico, and to the fishermen … [Read more...]
BP oil spill killed several trillion larval fish
Louisiana's coastal marshes will be the key focus of $8.8 billion BP will pay to restore vast natural resource losses caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, part of a $20.8 billion settlement with federal and Gulf state governments announced Monday (Oct. 5). The environmental portion also includes targeting significant money on Gulf of Mexico resources, federal … [Read more...]
Youngster wins award for inventing oil spill detection device
An 18-year-old Indian-American boy has won the prestigious Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award in the US for inventing a device that quickly shuts down undersea oil spills. Karan Jerath of Friendswood, Texas, claimed the USD 50,000 top prize yesterday at this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF). Jerath was also one of the five students selected … [Read more...]
Let’s stop the pollution support!
G8 leaders released a statement on Saturday calling for a phase out of inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies over the medium term - but they failed to take strong action. The momentum is building, we have one month until key environmental talks where we can win an end to crazy polluter subsidies for good. Help grow the call by forwarding this campaign to your friends! It’s … [Read more...]
Seli 1 wreck reduction operations a resounding success
Seli 1 wreck reduction operations to date have been confirmed as a resounding success; however the public are advised to keep a wide berth as further operations to ensure the safety of recreational users must still take place. A recent follow-up assessment of the Seli 1 wreck off the Table View coastline has confirmed that the operation has been a success, with the primary … [Read more...]
Hopes to salvage Kiani Satu sink along with the ship
All hopes to save the ship wrecked off the coast of Knysna plunge as the Kiani Satu sinks into the dark abyss of the Indian Ocean on Wednesday 21 August. After the attempt to float the ship on Saturday 17 August, nature took its course at 4:00 am on Wednesday and dragged the vessel underwater 200m South of Buffels Bay. The carcass of Kiani Satu now lies at a depth of 1000m and … [Read more...]
Another shipwreck: not a ‘Smart’ move
During the high seas experienced from inclement weather and spring tides, our coast is taking a hammering from the threats of sinking ships. As if the disaster off the Knysna coast is not enough, now another ship is stranded off the coast of Alkantstrand, Richards Bay. The 230m coal carrying vessel, called ‘Smart’, ran aground as it attempted to sail out of port on Monday 19 … [Read more...]
Knysna’s hope to remove oil spill rides on the waves
Almost a week later, and the Kiani Satu cargo ship remains stranded off the coast of Buffels Bay, Knysna. Officials are working hard and fighting the elements to float the vessel away from the protected coastline. Saturday morning 3 tonnes of oil had spilled into the ocean. By Monday 15 tonnes mar the marine protected coastline of the Goukamma Nature Reserve, which stretches … [Read more...]
