Protest calls for end to KZN offshore drilling
Passionate calls to protect the ocean for its aesthetic and productive value could be heard from all around the frustrated crowd, which hailed from across Durban including Montclair, Bluff, Wentworth and Merebank.
DURBAN’S beachfront promenade was abuzz with excitement on Wednesday, 5 December as concerned environmentalists and local community members joined forces with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) for a protest march to put an end to the proposed offshore oil and gas drilling in KZN’s oceans.
Passionate calls to protect the ocean for its aesthetic and productive value could be heard from all around the frustrated crowd, which hailed from across Durban including Montclair, Bluff, Wentworth and Merebank.
“Our ocean forms part of a lively heritage and it’s in our hands to preserve it. The extraction of minerals is going to risk the livelihoods of the people and communities who rely on the ocean and land for their income. It is going to destroy our ability to adapt to the increasing impact of climate change, while at the same time fuel further runaway climate change,” explained SDCEA co-ordinator Desmond D’Sa. He explained how extraction of these minerals could threaten the tourism industry, restrict thousands of fisherfolk who depend entirely on fishing, contaminate the water and create havoc for local beachgoers.
READ: Join Fisherfolk Walk and march in solidarity
Lauren van Nijkerk, marketing director for Wild Oceans, an NGO based on the Bluff and which fully supported the initiative, said one of its goals is to advance the protection of oceans around South Africa by highlighting the threats to the ocean, namely the exploration of oil and gas.
“Although we have managed to successfully protect 5% of our oceans in South Africa as of 25 October 2018, we still need to continue the fight to expand marine protected areas because the question still lingers: ‘What is to happen to the remaining 95%?’. So appeals to the government and large oil and gas corporations will continue, in the mission to be the voice against the detriment to our beautiful, blue and valuable resource,” concluded Van Nijkerk.
READ: Enviro-activists to warn youth about offshore exploration impacts
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
