SEARCHER_English _Pamphlet_July2024

This guide, published by Natural Justice in July 2024, provides information and guidance for the public regarding a proposed 3D seismic survey by Searcher Geodata UK Ltd off the coast of South Africa. It outlines the project's scope, the regulatory process for environmental authorisation, and the potential negative impacts on marine biodiversity, local livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

• Searcher Geodata UK Ltd proposes a 3D seismic survey covering approximately 30,000 km2, located between 220 km offshore of Hondeklip Bay and 256 km offshore of St Helena Bay, at depths ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 metres. The project area overlaps with areas designated as Critical Biodiversity Area 1 (CBA 1) and Natural and Critical Biodiversity Area 2 (CBA 2).
• The project has a history of legal challenges; in 2022, the High Court of South Africa stopped Searcher's seismic surveys because the company failed to consult with indigenous communities, small-scale fishers, NGOs, and other interested parties. While a subsequent permit (12/1/043) allowed operations to begin in January 2024, that permit expires on 10 November 2024, leading Searcher to apply for a new permit (12/1/048) with plans to start surveys in early 2025 pending environmental authorisation.
• Seismic surveys may cause significant harm to marine life, including physiological injury, death, and reduced reproductive success. The Basic Assessment Report predicts auditory impacts on marine mammals up to 4.6 km from the sound source. Affected species include dolphins, various whales (humpback, Antarctic mink, fin, sei, sperm, and killer), the critically endangered leatherback turtle, the critically endangered African Penguin, the Cape fur seal, and pelagic species like blue marlins and tunas.
• The proposed activity poses risks to local livelihoods and cultural heritage. A required exclusion area of 165 km2 around the survey vessel would prevent fishing vessel access, potentially reducing fish yields and impacting food security for fishing communities. Additionally, the project is unlikely to provide significant local employment, as the few available jobs require high skills. The survey may also disrupt the cultural and spiritual resources of indigenous communities and those linked to ocean subsistence.

APA

Natural Justice (n.d.). SEARCHER_English _Pamphlet_July2024. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SEARCHER_English-_Pamphlet_July2024.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. SEARCHER_English _Pamphlet_July2024. n.d. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SEARCHER_English-_Pamphlet_July2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=SEARCHER_English _Pamphlet_July2024 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SEARCHER_English-_Pamphlet_July2024.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljusticendsearcherenglish, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{SEARCHER\_English \_Pamphlet\_July2024}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SEARCHER_English-_Pamphlet_July2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }