Eastern Cape locals say no-one knows the impact Shell blasting will have

Ocean lovers in the Eastern Cape are upset and deeply opposed to Shell’s Wild Coast seismic survey.

Dean Knox, teacher, and director of Jonginenge Eco-Adventure in East London, said he feared the effect of the blasts on marine life would be horrific.

“What are they surveying for? Natural gas? Renewable energy is mostly above ground.

“Is Shell locally owned? What about the many marine protected areas along this stretch of coastline?

“What about marine life around Cwebe, Cape Morgan, Hluleka, the sardine run, whale migrations? In what way will this benefit SA?”

Kevin Harris of Save Nahoon said: “The further exploration around Brulpadda at Mossels was abandoned due to extreme depth and high current. If that’s a tough environment then the Wild Coast surely won’t work.

“What damage do the seismic guns do to echo locator systems in mammals like whales and dolphins?”

John Costello, Port St Johns co-author of the sold-out Mkambati and the Wild Coast, and NSRI station commander there for many years, said: “I am not aware of any study or research which has been done off the Wild Coast on the effect of air guns on mammals, marine life and the marine ecosystem.

“How will Shell or their consultants know what effect they will have on the Wild Coast?”

Shell’s website highlighting its “nature-based solutions” to combat climate change features birdsong and gentle breezes, forests and uplifting music.

The company states that they are “harnessing nature” and “making it easier for customers to tackle their emissions”.

“We aim to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 or sooner, in step with society.”

Images of hydrogen and electricity cars, solar panels, and wind turbines flow to the slogan: “Powering progress together.”

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