In 2022, the High Court of South Africa found that Searcher had failed to consult with small-scale fishers, indigenous communities, non-governmental organisations, and other relevant interested parties in obtaining their permit to conduct seismic blasting – called a reconnaissance permit – and stopped Searcher from continuing seismic surveys.
However, later in 2022, after another application, the then Department of Mineral Resources and Energy granted Searcher environmental authorisation for offshore seismic surveys off the coast of South Africa under reconnaissance permit 12/1/043. Searcher began their seismic survey operation in January 2024 but were unable to complete the planned survey. The current reconnaissance permit will expire on 10 November 2024. Searcher, therefore, applied for and received a new permit (12/1/048) over the same area. Searcher plans to begin its surveys in early 2025 if it receives the necessary environmental authorisation.
This pamphlet was developed in November 2024 to provide communities with an understanding of the project and activities to date.
You can also access and download versions in Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
