By Annisa Essack
02:03:2022

West Coast fishing communities and environmental groups celebrated after the Western Cape High Court Judge Daniel Thulare ordered Searcher Seismic to stop its seismic study on the west and southwest coast.

The judgement followed an initial order and interim interdict stemming Searcher Seismic from its oil and gas exploration earlier this year.

Neville van Rooy, the Community Outreach Coordinator for The Green Connection, spoke to Radio Islam International, saying they were genuinely delighted with the enormous victory, especially as it sends a strong message to oil and gas companies and governments who believe that they can bully coastal and indigenous communities on development.

He added that they were not opposing development but rather prefer concrete action that does not harm the environment, that is, long-term, respects those who make a livelihood from the environment.

Van Rooy says that they will not be surprised if there is an appeal against it, but they are serious about protecting the environment, the livelihoods of the fishers, and climate change.

He also pointed out that fishermen were deliberately excluded from the process, but creating awareness has put coastal communities on guard.

The study carried out by Searcher Seismic has affected the sea life, as Van Rooy explained that he had seen effects like crayfish carcasses on large stretches of beaches along the route from Elandsbaai.

He added that the small scale fishers are part of the interested and affected parties as they too use the ocean for their livelihoods. He was adamant that the small-scale fishermen were an integral part of the case, and Searcher had made a mistake by not including them in the discussions.

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