‘No one asked us’: West Coast fishers oppose offshore oil and gas development

Pedro Engelbrecht, the chairperson of the Doringbaai Fisheries Cooperative, stood on a fishing jetty in the West Coast village of Doringbaai, the Atlantic Ocean beneath his feet, as he explained why many in his community oppose planned oil and gas projects offshore. “The minister says that we can live from oil — but they are the ones who are going to live from oil, not us, because it has a terrible effect on us as fishers. It’s those big oil companies and the minister who benefit.” Engelbrecht was referring to Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, who has longsupportedthe expansion of oil and gas development in South Africa.

His scepticism was echoed by community leaders, fishers, former miners and activists interviewed during a 10-day reporting trip in December 2025. The journey covered Doringbaai, Papendorp, Ebenhaeser, Lutzville and Port Nolloth, with additional input from a Hondeklipbaai community leader interviewed online. The reporting trip was supported by Greenpeace Africa, which covered travel and logistical costs.

The author also produced a separate narrative series for Greenpeace Africa. This article was independently reported and edited. Mining for copper, diamonds, sand, phosphates and other resources has taken place along the West Coast for more than 150 years.

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Prospecting for oil and gas is now expanding offshore along much of the coastline. A court case against TotalEnergies is under way, in which the Port Nolloth Aukotowa Fisheries Cooperative, together with the Green Connection and Natural Justice, is opposing the company’s planned oil and gas projects in the Orange Basin. The applicants argue that communities were not adequately consulted.Judgment has been reserved.

About 95% of South Africa’s exclusive economic ocean zone has been mapped by the department of mineral and petroleum resources (DMPR) for oil and gas exploration, with the stated aim of boosting socio-economic development and creating jobs. Along the West Coast, land-based and offshore mining extends along most of the coastline, while oil and gas exploration extends further offshore. Politicians across the country’s political spectrum have expressed support for new oil and gas developments. The government’sOperation Phakisa, part of the National Development Plan, aims to address inequality, poverty and unemployment through oil, gas and marine aquaculture development.

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