Public can still have say on oil search

Cut-off on seismic probe extended

THERE is still time to have your say on British exploration company PGS’s application to use seismic technology to look for gas and oil off South Africa’s coastline. The proposed project will target the coast from Mossel Bay to Richards Bay.

The aim is to activate the exploration rights held by different companies including New Age Algoa & Rift Petroleum, Exxon Mobil and Impact Africa.

Seismic surveys bounce sound off the seabed to check for the presence of concealed mineral deposits.

The sound is generated by arrays of airguns towed behind the seismic vessel.

The guns are fired into the water and the returning data-laden sound is captured by hydrophones.

The explosion of noise into the ocean has been a source of contention for years, with various studies, including those by National Geographic and the Australian environment department, revealing severe negative affects on marine life.

The cut-off for public comment on the project was Monday, but Nicholas Arnott for the Cape Town-based assessment company SLR, said yesterday the date had been put forward to June 30.

All comment from interested and affected parties received until then will be included in the draft environmental management programme (EMP) and the EMP will be submitted to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa for its consideration and a final decision by the minister of mineral resources.

According to SLR’s report, the target area lies between 15km and 250km offshore.

Overall, the environmental impacts would be short-term and limited to the survey area, so after mitigation measures they would range from insignificant to of low significance, the report said.

However, due to seismic noise the effect on dolphins, whales and turtles and on the fishing industry would likely be more substantial.

On fishing, the report said research had shown that seismic surveys might lead to a reduction in catch rates.

NMMU marine biologist and cetacean specialist Dr Stephanie Plön said underwater acoustic surveys were a concern in terms of their possible interference with natural ocean acoustics.

Marine creatures of all kinds used acoustics for everything from navigation to finding food, she explained.

“There is already a big problem with the noise pollution of our oceans, including everything from ship’s engines to port activities to seismic surveys.

“We can’t stop development, but we need to try for more sustainable environment-friendly development.

“This means looking for innovative mitigation measures – but also innovative alternative development.”

Comments should be sent to Arnott at narnott@slrconsulting.com