Ocean Impact

Around 90% of South Africa’s ocean is leased for oil and gas, yet no mapping exists to predict oil spill impacts.

A new Oil Spill Model shows how oil could move from proposed drilling sites, highlighting environmental, social, and economic risks.

WATCH: www.stopthespoil.co.za/oilspillmodel

‘From reef to retail’: experts warn global marine aquarium fish trade relies heavily on wild populations New research finds 90% of marine fish sold by major US retailers are wild-caught, including threatened or endangered species

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: New research reveals the global marine aquarium fish trade relies heavily on wild populations - and many consumers don’t know it.

Read more via The Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

"If we don't do anything about it all, it will be a time bomb we will be dealing with. If we just sit back and do nothing, it will be the end of us," - Chanel Jaar, Environmental & Social Activist.

WATCH the short documentary here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe...

Janet Solomon | SA’s misguided energy gamble | News24 Operation Phakisa’s vision of “sustainable” offshore oil was always an illusion — and now, as the state-owned petroleum company emerges from the ashes of PetroSA, it threatens to repeat the same mista...

NEWS: South Africa’s Misguided Energy Gamble

Despite clear signs of oceanic and climate risk, South Africa is pushing ahead with Operation Phakisa, planning 30 new offshore wells by 2030 under the guise of “sustainable development.”

Read more: www.news24.com/business/cli...

It’s National Marine Week!

South Africa’s 3,000km coastline is home to diverse species and ecosystems. This week, we’re highlighting our Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - vital for conserving marine life and supporting sustainable fishing and tourism.

NEWS: Recent studies have found that much of the shark meat sold in the United States comes from endangered species.

Research shows the majority of shark products are mislabeled or so vaguely described that buyers have no idea what they are eating.

READ MORE: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

In Gqeberha, coastal communities and climate justice organisations - including The Green Connection, Earthlife Africa, Eastern Cape Environmental Network, and WESSA - have joined in peaceful demonstration, standing in solidarity to protect our ocean from harmful extractive practices.

Today, Wild Coast communities, supported by Sustaining the Wild Coast, All Rise Attorneys, Natural Justice, and Greenpeace Africa, headed to the Constitutional Court to challenge Shell and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy over planned seismic surveys on the Wild Coast.

'An empty promise': Green groups slam SA’s offshore oil and gas strategy In a media release issued this week, environmental NGO WILDTRUST, in collaboration with The Green Connection, raised serious concerns about the South African government’s increasing support for offsho...

With nearly 90% of SA’s ocean already leased for oil & gas, the new IRP pushes for more offshore projects. WILDTRUST’s new oil spill model shows just how devastating a spill could be for tourism & fishing.

Read more: iol.co.za/saturday-sta...

"I became a protector of nature because of big companies like Shell, who are willing to destroy the very same nature we grew up on, the very same nature we learnt from without having to go to school for it..." Ezile Jiba.

WATCH the short documentary here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe...

“There’s not enough effort being made to explain to people what the advantages and disadvantages or the impact that offshore oil and gas will have on coastal community livelihoods and on the ocean,” -Neville van Rooy.

Watch SPOILED here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe...

SPOILED profiles the everyday heroes who continue to fight to protect South Africa's oceans from the threat of offshore oil and gas exploration.

This is not just a story of warning, it's a call to action.

WATCH the short documentary here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe...

YouTube video by WILDTRUST SPOILED - OFFICIAL FILM

Last week, Walter Steenkamp, featured in the short film SPOILED, has been hosting screenings in Port Nolloth and Komaggas. Over 70 people attended in Port Nolloth - they were predominantly the youth and the town's fishing community.
WATCH FILM: m.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHo... @wildtrust.co.za

Behind the scenes with SPOILED...
We have recently launched our short documentary feature, titled SPOILED, a South African story of resilience and hope. WATCH the short film here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHo...

The time to act is now.
The ‘SPOILED’ film carries an urgent call to protect South Africa’s rich and irreplaceable marine heritage from the growing threat of offshore oil and gas exploration.
WATCH NOW: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe... @wildtrust.co.za

The ‘SPOILED’ film carries an urgent call to protect South Africa’s rich and irreplaceable marine heritage from the growing threat of offshore oil and gas exploration.
WATCH HERE: m.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHo... @wildtrust.co.za

SPOILED - officially launching on 29 July 2025
A South African story, watch this space. Stop the spoil. @wildtrust.co.za

Coming soon...'SPOILED'
Officially launching on 29 July 2025.
A story worth hearing, and a story worth sharing... stay tuned as we share more in the weeks leading up to the launch.
Stop the spoil. @wildtrust.co.za

Durban South fishermen fight for their rights | Southlands Sun Fishermen from the South of Durban joined their counterparts to fight to be recognised and have access to the beach.

Local fishermen from Durban South are calling for recognition and fair access to beach fishing grounds.
Read more via the Citizen: www.citizen.co.za/southlands-s... @wildtrust.co.za

YouTube video by National Geographic Ocean with David Attenborough | Official Trailer | National Geographic

If you haven’t watched "Ocean with David Attenborough,” we suggest you do - streaming on Disney+
Attenborough’s call to action is very clear:
- Protect at least 30% of our oceans by 2030
- Ban destructive fishing methods in marine reserves
- Enforce real protection
youtu.be/v5J7aP2FYH4?...

French Polynesia Creates World's Largest Marine Protected Area By prioritizing marine conservation, the small island nation has "set a new standard for leadership" one expert said.

French Polynesia has just made conservation history and a monumental step forward for oceans — by protecting its entire ocean territory. It's now home to the largest marine protected area (MPA) ever established.
time.com/7292420/fren...
@wildtrustssa.bsky.social

BREAKING NEWS: South Africa has officially signed the #HighSeasTreaty (#BBNJ), stepping up as a global leader in ocean protection.
At the UN Oceans Conference, Dr Dion George joined nations by committing SA to working towards safeguarding marine life beyond borders. @wildtrustssa.bsky.social

The High Seas are international waters where protection is needed to ensure we maintain the health of our oceans.
Without effective protection, our ocean is left vulnerable to overfishing and habitat destruction. The good news is that the High Seas Treaty aims to change that: highseasalliance.org

The diversity of SA's oceans is worth celebrating this #WorldEnvironmentDay - a rich marine heritage that needs protecting. Our waters are some of the most biodiverse in the world; home to migrating whales, endangered seabirds and ancient coral reefs. @wildtrustssa.bsky.social

This #EndangeredSpeciesDay we are highlighting the the African Penguin - Africa’s only penguin species, which was recently uplisted to Critically Endangered status by the IUCN Red List due to their rapid population decline.
📷: Mnqobi Zuma | WILDOCEANS

NEWS: 30 environmental organisations are calling on Environment Minister Dion George to renew political support for South Africa’s commitment to protect 30% of its land and ocean areas by 2030.
READ on Business Day: www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2...
@wildtrustsa.bsky.social

Did you know the high seas are among the richest areas of biodiversity?
These areas support diverse marine species, host extraordinary ecosystems & serve as vital migratory corridors for whales and sharks. Despite their importance, 1% of the high seas is currently under protection!

📷: Jordan Robins

DANGERS OF OIL SPILLS
Oil spills kill fish, plankton, shellfish, turtles, mammals, seabirds, and their offspring; destroy plant life; and reduce the food supply for organisms that survive. Spills also disrupt the structure and function of marine communities and ecosystems.
www.oceansnotoil.org

THE IMPACTS OF AN UNCONTROLLED OFFSHORE OIL SPILL

Sunlight and bacteria play a small but vital role in breaking down oil, but the process is slow and far from complete.

Even with this phenomenon, some of the oil still lingers in the water and can continue to harm marine life.

oceansnotoil.org

Oil spills don’t just harm the water - they affect the air, too.

Toxic chemicals like benzene and xylene evaporate, posing risks to responders and air-breathing wildlife.

The damage therefore spreads far beyond the spill zone, resulting in long-lasting impacts.

Learn more - oceansnotoil.org