APPEAL TO DELAY DECISION ON BANTAMSKLIP NUCLEAR POWER STATION

(This appeal comes from the latest e-newsletter of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. - Ed.)

Delay decision on nuclear power station

Proposed nuclear power station threatens penguins, sharks and whales

Trust calls for halt until marine environment impact is known

The Dyer Island Conservation Trust believes that the proposed nuclear power station at Bantamsklip threatens the unique populations of penguins, sharks, whales and other marine species of this fragile area of the Western Cape.

These seas are the home of the endangered African Penguin (with one the few remaining nesting colonies on nearby Dyer Island) and the world's densest population of Great White Sharks as well as providing an important breeding area for Southern Right Whales each winter. Additionally, the protected area has visiting dolphins (notably the rare Humpback dolphin) and other whale species along with a large colony of Cape Fur Seals and many seabird species.

These easily accessible populations are a focus of important international marine research and exist alongside an eco-tourism industry which annually attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Marine impact of project inadequately studied to-date

The proposed power station would cause permanent changes in this fragile and complex marine environment with increased water temperature, chemical contamination and sediment pollution.

The impact of such changes on the sensitive marine and bird populations is unknown and could be devastating. These risks have not been adequately investigated in the Environmental Impact Assessment which has been conducted to-date.

Therefore, we believe that no decision can be taken on the project until a full evaluation of the likely impact on the populations of penguins, whales, sharks and other species has been successfully conducted. We have proposed appropriate research goals in a letter of our concerns sent via the public participation process to Acer (Africa) Environmental Management Consultants for review by Eskom.

Until this research has been completed the Dyer Island Conservation Trust calls for a halt to the planned nuclear power station at Bantamsklip.

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