Proposed Survey Activities in Blocks 9 and 11B/12B South Coast, South Africa

Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd proposes 'downscaled and non-invasive' surveys in Licence Blocks 9 and 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin to inform future oil and gas production infrastructure. The surveys involve seafloor mapping, sampling, and the use of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), with a 500-metre exclusion zone around vessels. Potential impacts include disruption to marine life (specifically whales, dolphins, and migratory fish), noise and water pollution from vessel discharges, and negative effects on local livelihoods tied to fishing and tourism. The document also highlights risks to the cultural and spiritual heritage of indigenous groups who view the area as 'living' waters. Public comments on the Draft Scoping Report are requested by 3 April 2025.

• Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd is proposing 'downscaled and non-invasive' surveys in Licence Blocks 9 and 11B/12B, covering 8620 km2 of the ocean between Mossel Bay and Gqeberha, to gather data for potential future oil and gas extraction.
• The proposed survey activities include bathymetry and sonar mapping, collecting seafloor samples, using Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for imagery, and conducting metocean surveys to measure wave heights, currents, and temperatures.
• The project may negatively impact local livelihoods, particularly in fishing, tourism, and cargo shipping, and is unlikely to provide significant employment for local people as the current phase is short-term and requires highly skilled workers.
• Oil and gas exploration activities may disturb marine life, including cetaceans such as sperm whales, humpback whales, and Southern right whales, and may affect migratory routes for tuna, billfish, and sharks.
• Environmental risks include underwater noise and water pollution from the discharge of grey water, treated sewage water, and engine water, as well as the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and sulphur oxide affecting air quality.
• The project may impact the cultural and spiritual heritage of indigenous groups who consider the project area to be 'living' waters essential for spiritual and health management.
• A 2023 study for the Block 11B/12B Production Right EIA found a strong interconnection between land and sea in the south cape coast and noted that racial dynamics continue to hinder local community access to the ocean despite the end of apartheid legislation.

APA

Natural Justice (2025). Proposed Survey Activities in Blocks 9 and 11B/12B South Coast, South Africa. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/English_MainStreet-Blocks911B12_community-pamphlet-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. Proposed Survey Activities in Blocks 9 and 11B/12B South Coast, South Africa. 2025. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/English_MainStreet-Blocks911B12_community-pamphlet-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=Proposed Survey Activities in Blocks 9 and 11B/12B South Coast, South Africa |date=March 2025 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/English_MainStreet-Blocks911B12_community-pamphlet-FINAL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2025proposed, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{Proposed Survey Activities in Blocks 9 and 11B/12B South Coast, South Africa}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/English_MainStreet-Blocks911B12_community-pamphlet-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }