PROTECT BAZARUTO

The Barazuto Archipelago, just off the coast of Mozambique, is a beautiful and biodiverse area that is currently threatened by oil and gas development.

Bazaruto was set aside as a national park nearly 20 years ago in order to protect threatened and endemic wildlife, including the only viable population of dugongs in the Western Indian Ocean.

This area is a critical sanctuary for thousands of species of fish and hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Bazaruto Bay alone contains a variety of habitats that support diverse fauna and flora; approximately 280 species of fish, at least five species of sea turtles, and at least eight species of marine mammals.

Tourism is an important industry here, attracting more foreign investment than any other part of Mozambique’s economy. The Bazaruto Seascape is an area of incomparable natural beauty. Picturesque islands, kilometers of pristine beaches, azure waters teeming with coral reefs and populations of iconic dugongs, whales, dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and seahorses are all major draws for international visitors. This region has become the epicenter of coastal tourism in Mozambique.

Fishing or harvesting of any protected species is prohibited throughout the entire designated park zone, and several critical reef systems are entirely protected from fishing with only diving and snorkeling allowed.

Because of the presence of many vulnerable species including 4 listed as endangered and 2 listed as critically endangered, the Bazaruto Archipelago and the coastal region was afforded additional protections by the Marine Mammal Protected Areas Taskforce in July 2019. The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park has also been listed as a potential future UNESCO world heritage site.

Sasol is a South Africa-based energy company (the largest corporate taxpayer in South Africa) that has proposed to carry out seismic testing for oil and gas exploration throughout the Bazaruto seascape and is already making plans to drill offshore.

Searcher is a company that provides subsurface exploration data and associated products to the global energy industry that has proposed a seismic survey to be carried out in a project area that provides habitat for marine fauna and sensitive habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Three conservation areas are located to the west of the proposed project area: Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (8km away), São Sebastião Total Protection Zone (9 km away), and Pomene National Reserve (11 km away).

Seismic blasts under water cause brutal impacts to wildlife wherever surveys are conducted. During seismic surveys, blasts of compressed air underwater create one of the loudest man-made sounds on earth. Airguns often blast every 10 seconds for 24 hours a day, without stopping until a survey is competed, a process that can take many weeks. 

Seismic testing causes hearing loss, internal injuries, damage to juvenile fish and planktonic fish eggs, and a wide range of other devastating impacts to aquatic life including abandonment of habitat, disruption of mating and feeding, and mass stranding events.

Sasol is specifically proposing drilling in areas that support the most important dugong concentration of the Inhambane coast. This dugong population is so fragile that experts estimate it can sustain only two deaths per year additional to the natural mortality rate in order to remain viable. The proposed drilling area is also within a key migratory route for megafauna including manta rays, whales, sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles, and home to hundreds of marine species that facing extinction threats.

Damage to wildlife in this region is also devastating to local residents and economies, which rely heavily on tourism and fishing.

During fall 2019, public meetings were attended by hundreds of local residents, tourism investors, marine scientists, concerned homeowners, and others. Many arrived wearing t-shirts emblazoned with  "Our Ocean, Our Future, Say NO to seismic testing and offshore drilling!" 

Community members spoke of the horror of seeing beached dolphins on Bazauto Island, feeling core-rocking vibrations from seismic testing while diving, and experiencing poor fishing and crabbing in the years that followed Sasol’s initial wave of exploratory testing over a decade ago.

Scientists cautioned that the impacts of seismic testing could take an incalculable toll on the wildlife and environment of the region, including the numerous vulnerable and critically endangered species which make their home in the area or visit these waters seasonally.

A coalition of individuals and organizations is working together to oppose this project. Hundreds have signed an open letter and thousands have signed an online petition.

Our Children’s Earth Foundation is leading the effort to submit formal comments supported by multiple international organizations, including Marine Megafauna Foundation, Marine Action Research, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Parceiros Comunitarios (ParCo), Re:wild, Mission Blue, All Rise, Natural Justice, and multiple local tourism groups.

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

http://www.mpatlas.org/mpa/sites/121/

https://news.mongabay.com/2017/12/african-parks-backs-marine-reserve-brimming-with-wildlife-in-mozambique/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Mozambique#Inhambane

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/mozambique-bazaruto-archipelago/index.html

http://www.mozambique.co.za/Mozambique_Travel_Articles-travel/bazarutto-archipelago-marine-reserve.html

https://oceana.org/our-work/climate-energy/seismic-airgun-blasting/overview

https://www.bowmanslaw.com/insights/shipping-aviation-and-logistics/seismic-testing-effect-marine-environment/

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