Port Nolloth’s fishers, led by Walter Steenkamp, are opposing offshore fossil fuel exploration, citing environmental risks and community rights. Despite government support for these projects, small-scale fishers, backed by environmental organizations, are challenging legal authorizations due to inadequate environmental assessments. Their struggle underscores the necessity for sustainable practices that prioritize marine health and local livelihoods.
On March 26, 2024, fog enveloped Port Nolloth’s coastline as fishers, including Walter Steenkamp, prepared to venture out despite challenging sea conditions. The small southern African village, once prosperous in the diamond mining and fishing industries, is now facing significant challenges due to overharvesting and the decline of both sectors. Steenkamp chairs Aukatowa Fisheries, a cooperative advocating for small-scale fishers’ rights amid the changing economic landscape.
Since 2021, Mr. Steenkamp and his colleagues have focused on the environmental risks posed by several proposed offshore oil and gas projects. Shell’s seismic survey announcement marks the inception of multiple similar explorations, raising concerns for local fishers. As exploration activities encroach near Port Nolloth, TGS Geophysical Company and Total’s South African branch, Teepsa, have been authorized to conduct seismic surveys and drilling, triggering significant community opposition.
South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, views offshore oil and gas as vital for the continent’s energy security. However, local communities express significant concern over the environmental consequences, opposing the exploration activities. In late 2024, Aukatowa Fisheries, alongside environmental NGOs, initiated court proceedings questioning the validity of government authorizations for TGS and Teepsa.
Legal objections emphasize the inadequate environmental impact assessments (EIRs) associated with these companies, arguing they downplay spill risks and fail to consider the cumulative effects of multiple projects. Melissa Groenik from Natural Justice asserts, “We know … that the impacts of an oil spill will be catastrophic,” pointing to the minimization of spill risks in EIRs. Research submitted to the court suggests that the actual risks associated with spills and environmental damage from drilling operations are significantly underestimated.
Experts, including marine scientist Jean Harris, testified that deficits in the environmental assessment studies regarding the impact of oil spills on critical marine areas need to be thoroughly reviewed. Groenik also highlights the potential harm from overlapping seismic surveys, which have not been adequately considered in the applications by TGS and Teepsa.
Beyond local environmental implications, new fossil fuel projects could exacerbate climate change, threatening the ocean’s ecosystems and undermining South Africa’s climate commitments. Groenik urges for holistic consideration of these projects, lamenting that current evaluations are inadequate. The independent research of Hilton Trollip indicates that the economic viability of the gas projects would necessitate extracting more fossil fuels than sustainable energy plans allow.
The ongoing legal battles have provided coastal communities with crucial time to reassess energy policies and environmental strategies. Mr. Steenkamp emphasizes that the fight against fossil fuel exploration directly relates to his community’s survival, noting observable changes in marine life and fishing patterns linked to climate impacts. Local fisher Rosie Malan recounts warmer waters affecting rock lobsters, representing how climate change is already altering local fisheries.
As fishers return to the calm harbor waters, they face a daunting future. A commitment to environmental stewardship and community resilience echoes through their endeavors, with Steenkamp expressing a profound desire to safeguard the ocean for future generations. The struggle against offshore fossil fuel projects reflects broader ecological concerns, underscoring the importance of prioritizing environmental health and community survival over short-term economic gains.
The struggle of Port Nolloth’s fishers against offshore fossil fuel exploration represents a critical intersection of environmental protection, community rights, and climate action. As they confront industry giants and government policies, their legal battles have sparked essential discussions regarding the real impacts of these projects on marine ecosystems and local livelihoods. Ultimately, this fight embodies a commitment to preserving the ocean for future generations, affirming the need for sustainable practices and greater recognition of small-scale fishers’ rights within South Africa’s energy strategy.
Original Source: dialogue.earth
