Namibia Fishing Workers Protest Marine Phosphate ECC

Fishing industry workers, supported by community members and politicians, protested in Walvis Bay, Namibia, on Thursday against marine phosphate mining, following the recent issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project. The protest highlights significant public opposition to the project, spearheaded by Namibia Marine Phosphate (NMP), a joint venture primarily owned by Oman-based Mawarid Mining LLC. Protesters handed a petition to the MEFT, expressing deep concerns about the potential adverse impacts of seabed mining on Namibia's vital fishing industry, marine ecosystems, fish stocks, and coastal livelihoods, despite NMP's plans to mine a relatively small area annually and process onshore.