On 5-7 July Masifundise, Green Connection, Legal Resource Centre, One Ocean Hub as well as various coastal small-scale fishing communities attended an oil and gas workshop hosted by the Coastal Justice Network in Port Alfred.
The workshop examined the growth of offshore oil and gas exploration on the South African coastline as well as, capacitated fishing communities on how to respond to the multitude of threats to their livelihood activities.
This workshop also created a space in which small-scale fishers, and Non-governmental Organisations (NGO’s) working in those communities, could devise advocacy strategies and ways to mobilise and organise to create solidarity and strengthen the fight against oil and gas.
“This workshop was very useful, we were able to get an update on the Shell and Searcher seismic court cases as well as have in depth discussions on the protection of fisher livelihoods. It is clear that communities must come together to prevent oil and gas companies from blasting into their shores. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) has done very little to preserve and secure the livelihood activities of vulnerable small-scale fishing communities,” said Boyisile Mafilika Project Officer at Masifundise.