Campaigners have filed an urgent court application against Shell’s seismic survey, which was scheduled to begin on Wednesday. The applicants are the Border Deep Sea Angling Association, the Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club, Natural Justice and Greenpeace Africa.
According to IOL, Amazon Warrior, the survey vessel that will conduct seismic surveys along the Wild Coast, left Cape Town earlier this week, and is now in Port Alfred.
Cullinan & Associates is the law firm behind this last-minute bid, which will be heard in court on Wednesday afternoon. The intervention is expected to delay Shell’s plans to explore for oil in the marine environment, The Guardian reports.
This includes firing loud shockwave emissions down through 1.8 miles of water and almost 35 miles into the seabed to create a seismic survey of the area, affecting whales, dolphins, seals and other marine life.
The applicants expressed that the commencement of the seismic exploration activities are prima facie unlawful until Shell has applied for, and obtained, the necessary Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
WWF has also added its voice to the public’s growing concern that Shell’s exploration for oil and gas along the Wild Coast will have adverse effects on the environment.
In a statement released via their website, the environmental organisation indicated that they remain concerned regarding the “mounting threat of incompatible developments along the Wild Coast of South Africa.”
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WWF weighs in on Shell’s seismic surveillance of the Wild Coast
Picture: Twitter / @shellslies