Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

[a] How well established is the scientific knowledge regarding the impact on the environment of seismological studies at sea?

The scientific knowledge or resulting conclusive outcomes regarding the environmental impacts of seismological studies is highly contested. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning [“DEA&DP”] and CapeNature do not have in-house scientific research capacity regarding the environmental impact[s]) of seismological studies at sea.

However, seismic testing is the process used for mapping the ocean floor to determine where oil and gas is located so that the seabed can then be drilled, and the resources extracted. The process involves seismic air guns sending compressed air streams or focused sonic waves – in simple language, loud booms - towards the ocean floor to gauge the depth, location and structure of the oil or gas resources. Sound travels more easily under water than through the air and the noise from a single seismic survey can travel tens of thousands of square kilometers. 

An article in the Canadian Journal of Zoology reports that seismic surveys increase noise levels to twice the normal level, and impact marine life. Such surveys disturb the communication, navigation and eating habits essential to the survival of marine wildlife. These sonic waves can also damage fish with air bladders, destroy marine wildlife eggs and larvae, and cause fish and other marine species to temporarily migrate away from the affected area. However, the conclusiveness of scientific knowledge is currently being contested, as considered in the Western Cape High court judgement in the Christian John Adam & Others v Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy & Others [case number: 1306/22] where applicants in this matter presented the argument that cumulative impacts of seismic surveys have not been studied in South Africa and that the impact on fish assemblages was difficult to interpret. In addition, there was a lack of research on confounding effects and multiple stressors were a key concern.  It was also argued that there is limited knowledge on the impact on zooplankton which support fish nursery areas, this is particularly important along the West Coast of South Africa.  In the North Atlantic, zooplankton, which is essential for the health and productivity of global marine ecosystems have suffered significant mortality and the impact has been observed at a range of 1.2 km from the blasting sites.

[b][i] To what extent does seismological exploration at sea cause environmental damage?

The DEA&DP largely depends on the specialist studies undertaken by independent specialists for applications for environmental authorisation for seismic studies, which describe the potential impacts to the environment (biophysical, socio-economic, and cultural historic), and which propose appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures that can be implemented.

In terms of the specialist input supporting prospecting applications that include seismic activities which were received and commented on by the DEA&DP in terms of section 24O of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 [Act No. 107 of 1998] [“NEMA”] (as explained in response to the parliamentary query 6), the impacts on various aspects of the marine environment are generally presented as very low to low negative (as it relates to significance and consequence) before mitigation measures are implemented and very low negative to insignificant (significance and consequence) after the implementation of mitigation measures.  The forecasts on marine environment impacts provided by the relevant specialists are typically provided with a high degree of confidence.  One of the few aspects where impacts are forecast with a medium degree of confidence, pertains to marine mammal species (as it relates to significance and consequence).

Scientists argue that the effect of these seismic blasts of sound on marine life is disturbing and can have catastrophic results: seals have been found to display dramatic avoidance behaviour, a slower heart rate, ceasing feeding and hauling out of the ocean. Turtles have shown reduced hearing sensitivity at a distance of 1km from the blasts.  There has been damage to fish ears at distances of 500m to several kilometres, a reduction of 40 – 80% of catch rates in the North Atlantic and increased embryonic mortality. Impacts include temporary and permanent hearing loss, abandonment of habitat, disruption of mating and feeding, and even beach strandings and death. For whales and dolphins, which rely on their hearing to find food, communicate, and reproduce, being able to hear is a life-or-death matter. Whales simply stop “talking” to each other. 

[b][ii] How can this damage be mitigated?

Mitigation measures typically offered by the specialists to reduce impacts on mammals are to observe seasonal migratory patterns of mammals, where the activity is either not implemented during the season or to a lesser degree.  The use of Marine Mammal Observers and Passive Acoustic Monitoring technology is used to identify the presence of mammal species in the area before seismic activity is undertaken with warning blasts used to scare away species before seismic activity is activated.

Regarding other marine environment impacts, the specialists where possible either indicate that sensitive areas will be avoided or that the seismic activity will not have detrimental environmental impacts.  However, these projected impacts are not based on conclusive research.

In South Africa, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development, 2002 [Act No. 28 of 2002] affirms in its preamble the State’s obligation to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations, to ensure ecologically sustainable development of mineral and petroleum resources and to promote economic and social development. PetroSA recognizes the potential environmental impact that accompanies seismic surveys and states that no exploration can take place without the necessary permits, which in turn requires an environmental management programme [“EMPr”]. An EMPr requires a full consultation with concerned parties and a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed activities.  There are also several mitigation methods that must be adhered to: no surveys are allowed within protected areas such as nature reserves and breeding colonies and buffer zones must be established around these delicate areas.

However, there is a lack of understanding and research of the cumulative impacts of these seismic activities on marine life as well as the marine environment itself.  There is a need for a strategic assessment that considers the economic and social value of not just the mineral resource but also considers the value of preserving our marine life for generations to come.