The Makhanda High Court in the Eastern Cape has reserved judgment for Friday on the urgent application for an interim interdict against the seismic survey by the oil giant Shell, off the Wild Coast. The urgent application for this interdict was filed by environmental and human rights groups.
The testing to explore gas and oil was due to start on Wednesday, before the groups filed an urgent application. The groups argued that the exploration activities Shell applied for are unlawful and affected parties were not given an opportunity to appeal the exploration right.
Two of the applicants, The Border Deep Sea Angling Association and the Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club objected to the granting of an exploration license back in 2014. Arguing for the applicants Advocate Willie Duminy says this will also disturb the marine life as whales migrate to the Wild Coast during the month of December.
“The following is submitted in respect that the harm to the receiving environment does not seem to be capable of being repaired. It’s not for the applicants to say well one whale or 10 whales or thousand whales are likely to be disrupted. We simply don’t know but the environmental principle that is recognized in fuel retailers is that the precautionary principle applies that if you don’t know then you air on the side of caution,” Advocate Willie Duminy explains.
VIDEO: Furore around Shell’s plans continues
