Minister Creecy should put seismic blasting along Wild Coast on hold to allow for proper public participation
11 November 2021
The DA calls on the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy to urgently reevaluate the consent she has given for the seismic blasting in the ocean along the Wild Coast.
We share the grave concerns of civil society and residents regarding the proposed plans for blasting in the area, which is due to start on the 1st December 2021.
The blasting, due to be carried out by Shell and approved by Minister Creecy and the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, will consist of five months of powerful deep water blasting all the way from Morgan’s Bay to Port St Johns. The blasting could have a devastating impact on local marine life, including the numerous whale species that frequent the area. It is likely that some of these whales will be calving during this period.
Minister Creecy must urgently advise as to how this potentially devastating blasting operation was given the go-ahead by her department, especially in light of the allegations by activists that the public consultation process was flawed and not properly conducted.