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S.Africans protest against Shell oil exploration in pristine coastal area -Breaking

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© Reuters. Wild Coast residents protest Royal Dutch Shell’s plan to begin seismic surveys off South Africa’s Wild Coast, Mzamba Beach. Sigidi (South Africa), December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

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By Siyabonga Sishi

PORT EDWARD, South Africa (Reuters). South Africans marched to the beaches to protest Royal Dutch Shell’s (LON) plans for seimsic exploration. The company claims that this will harm marine wildlife like penguins, seals, and whales.

A South African court on Friday struck down https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/shell-wins-court-case-start-seismic-surveys-offshore-south-africa-2021-12-03 an application brought by environmentalists to stop the oil major exploring in the eastern seaboard’s Wild Coast, rejecting as unproven their argument that it would cause “irreparable harm” to the marine environment, especially migrating hump-back whales.

Wild Coast has some of the most unspoiled wildlife refuges in the country. It’s also home to stunning coastline wildernesses that are a big tourist attraction.

A Reuters TV reporter saw at least 1000 demonstrators gather on a beach close to Port Edward.

“It is just horrendous they would even think of this. Look around you?” Kas Wilson, a demonstrator, pointed to an unspoilt beach. It’s inexcusable and we will end it.

Shell executives were not available immediately for comment. However, they stated on Friday that their planned exploration had regulatory approval and would significantly increase South Africa’s energy security in the event of resource discovery.

Locals fear that seismic blasting will be conducted on more than 6,000 kilometres and kill the fish they depend upon to survive.

Toloza Mobe (62), a free diver, said “I don’t want them operating here because if we catch fish they won’t be able” after grabbing a wild lobster. “What will we eat?”

Shell and other oil companies are being urged by environmentalists to cease prospecting for oil. They argue that there is no way the world can reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, even if oil reserves are exhausted, or if they are discovered.

Shell received an order from a Dutch court earlier this year to lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% between 2019 and 2030. The decision is set to be appealed.

South Africa’s environment ministry referred Reuters at a statement from late last month that said “the Minister responsible environmental affairs is…not mandated to examine the application or make a determination on authorisation for the seismic survey.”

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