The Green Connection and affected small-scale fishers say they are disappointed (but not surprised) with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) approval of TotalEnergies’ Deep Western Orange Basin (DWOB) Oil and Gas drilling application on the West Coast. The Green Connection says it will appeal the decision. The Green Connection’s Community Outreach … [Read more...]
Seismic surveys a threat to marine ecosystems
Last month, The Green Connection lodged an appeal against the environmental authorisation – granted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) on 20 December 2022 – which allows Searcher Geodata UK to undertake a number of 3D seismic survey activities off the West Coast of South Africa in an area located between approximately 256km offshore of St Helena Bay to … [Read more...]
Orange Sandveld Lizard rediscovered in Western Cape
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and collaborators from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and Bayworld Museum rediscovered the rare Orange Sandveld Lizard (Nucras aurantiaca) during surveys in December 2022. The lizard has only been recorded twice, the last record more than ten years ago. The EWT’s Conservation Planning and Science Unit (CPSU) is … [Read more...]
Underwater noise of Karpowerships not acceptable
On 13 December 2022, The Green Connection and Natural Justice made a joint submission on the draft environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for Karpowership SA’s proposed gas to power project in Saldanha Bay. The eco-justice organisations argue that the environmental authorisation to be refused, highlighting several flawed assessments of marine and socio-economic impacts … [Read more...]
Radon gas: the road to awareness
The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) aims to bring awareness to South Africans regarding the potential threat of a naturally occurring radioactive gas, called radon, to draw up a map of potential high and low risk areas in the country and to set action and mitigation levels to minimise risk. This was envisaged and initiated by the Centre for Nuclear Safety and Security … [Read more...]
Karpowerships rejection a relief for West Coast fishers
The Green Connection says the Minister of Environmental Affairs Barbara Creecy made the right decision to decline Karpowerships’ appeal application against its failure to get environmental authorisations to operate in Saldanha Bay, Coega and Richards Bay. The eco-justice organisation says that at least, in the midst of another rather depressing Women’s Month, the fisherwomen … [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...]
Civil society braces for another West Coast seismic battle
Just months after two separate High Courts granted interim urgent interdicts against two different seismic surveys off the East and West Coasts – both predominantly as a result of insufficient consultation with affected communities – Tosaco Energy received authorisation from the Department of Mineral Resources and Environment (DMRE) to proceed with seismic blasting in Block 1 … [Read more...]
Court blocks Searcher seismic blasting, for now
On Monday afternoon, small-scale fishers from the West Coast and beyond breathed a sigh of relief when the Honourable Justice Thulare directed Searcher to discontinue any activities related to the seismic survey. This followed a nail biting few weeks since Searcher Geodata UK Limited commenced its seismic blasting operations in late January. The interim interdict has been … [Read more...]
Moratorium on West Coast mining urgently needed
Mining companies have a plan for the West Coast of South Africa that will destroy hundreds of kilometres of pristine coastal environments, disrupting local communities, fisheries, tourism and the rugged natural beauty of this globally recognised biodiversity hotspot. Protect the West Coast is an Environmental organization on a mission to protect the West Coast of South … [Read more...]
Communities continue to speak out against proposed gas plans
Since late-November 2021, following the overwhelming public outcry against Shell’s planned seismic surveys on the precious Wild Coast South Africans have awoken to the fact that government intends to search for and extract any remaining oil and gas reserves, which comes at the cost of the livelihoods of those who depend on the ocean, and the land. This week, the Department … [Read more...]
Civil society fights West Coast seismic survey in court
Yesterday, less than a month after the successful court action that stopped Shell’s attempts at seismic surveys on the Wild Coast, in its search for oil and gas in South Africa’s oceans, small-scale fishers – with the support of The Green Connection – head back to court, this time to protect the West Coast. In its Confirming Affidavit against the Minister in the Department … [Read more...]
Join the West Coast reforesting pilgrimage this Arbor Month
Join this exciting Arbor Month pilgrimage and reforest project. We will leave from Woodbridge Island, Milnerton Cape Town on Arbor day 1st September and walk for two days (42km) along our magnificent shore line, spending a night together at accommodation in Melbosstrand. The next day we walk through Koeberg Nature Reserve to Camphill Farm, where we sleep and eat communally … [Read more...]
