MEDIA ALERT
To: All Media
Issued by: Masifundise Development Trust
Date: 6 February 2025
Subject: Fishers call for urgent action and accountability for oil spill on West Coast
Masifundise Development Trust and Coastal Links expresses deep concern over the recent oil spill on Strandfontein beach, suspected to have originated from the MV Ultra Galaxy cargo vessel wrecked on the West Coast last year. This stretch of the coastline is home to fishing communities, including Doringbaai, Papendorp, and Ebenhaeser, where many fishers depend on both the river and sea for their livelihoods.
Summer months constitute the peak season for fishing activities on the West Coast, and for many small-scale fishers this is the most important season to secure income. Fishers from Ebenhaeser and Papendorp reported that they have been unable to catch fish for the past two weeks, with little to no catches observed. Additionally, they have noted changes in water colour and a strong, pungent oil smell emanating from the sea. This oil spill is not only a threat to the environment but also the food security and income of local fishing communities.
While we acknowledge the ongoing clean-up operations, critical questions remain: Who will be held accountable for this environmental disaster? In July 2024, when the MV Ultra Galaxy broke apart, we called on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and other relevant authorities to take swift action to mitigate the environmental damage. Once again, we urge the relevant authorities to implement immediate measures to protect fishers’ livelihoods and the marine environment.
Furthermore, we demand faster communication with fishing communities and reparations for the loss of fish catches caused by this disaster.
This oil spill underscores the inherent risks of operating in South Africa’s harsh and unpredictable coastal waters. Such disasters are inevitable under these conditions, reinforcing the urgent need to halt all oil and gas exploration and extraction projects on the West Coast. These activities pose a direct threat to local fishing communities, fisher livelihoods and the sustainability of our oceans.
For further queries contact:
Jordan Volmink – Media and Communication officer
jordan@masifundise.org.za
079 145 5281
Carmen Mannarino – Co-director/Programme Manager
carmen@masifundise.org.za
071 283 3179