Court bars Shell’s seismic survey
THE Eastern Cape high court has blocked oil giant Shell from conducting seismic blasting along the ecologically sensitive Wild Coast region.
Mining and petroleum companies use seismic blasting to find oil and gas lying beneath the ocean floor. The process involves using seismic airguns that produce loud, repetitive sounds that can travel for metres into the seabed.
Many environmental organisations, civil rights groups and people living in the area were concerned that the activity would have a negative impact on marine life and would affect fishing communities who make a living in the area.
They protested the seismic blasting and turned to the court for help.
Their efforts paid off when the court recently ruled in their favour. The court found that the coastal communities were not properly consulted before Shell was given the go-ahead by mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe. Seismic blasting would also bring harm to
