Hundreds of fishing industry workers, residents, local leaders and concerned citizens gathered in Walvis Bay in a peaceful protest against marine phosphate mining and its potential impact on Namibia’s marine environment, fishing industry and coastal livelihoods.
Reading the petition on behalf of the protesters, Taapopi Shikongo called on the Government of Namibia to reconsider the environmental approval for marine phosphate mining and ensure that independent scientific assessments and broader public consultation take place before any mining proceeds. The petition, dated 20 August 2026 and submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, warns that disturbance of the seabed could have consequences for marine ecosystems, fish stocks, spawning and nursery grounds, fishing areas and water quality.
The protesters said these potential environmental impacts could also threaten employment, food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend heavily on the ocean and fishing industry.
The petition describes Namibia’s ocean as one of the country’s most valuable natural and economic assets, supporting marine ecosystems, commercial fishing, food production, employment, exports, businesses and thousands of families.
The fishing industry supports a wide range of workers, including vessel crews, fish-processing employees, quality-control personnel, logistics operators, transport workers, port employees, scientists, suppliers and other service providers. The petitioners stressed that they recognise the importance of investment, employment creation and economic development, but argued that development should not compromise Namibia’s marine resources, fishing industry or the interests of future generations.
They are calling for independent and comprehensive scientific assessments of the potential environmental impact of marine phosphate mining, including its possible effects on biodiversity, seabed habitats, fish stocks, spawning and nursery areas, fishing grounds, water quality and overall fisheries productivity.
The organisers also want the potential impact on employment, coastal communities, food security and the national economy to be properly assessed.
In addition, they called for meaningful consultation with fishing industry employees, fishing companies, workers’ representatives, coastal communities, scientists, environmental organisations, local authorities and other affected stakeholders. The protesters further demanded greater transparency, calling for relevant scientific studies, environmental assessments, approval conditions and monitoring information concerning marine phosphate mining to be made available to the public.
While emphasising that they are not opposed to responsible economic development, investment or job creation, the petitioners said such development must be guided by sound science, transparency, public participation, environmental protection and long-term sustainability.
They called on government to review and reconsider the environmental approval for marine phosphate mining and, where necessary, suspend or impose appropriate conditions until outstanding environmental and socio-economic concerns have been adequately addressed.
The petition concludes by urging Namibia to protect its ocean and the resources and livelihoods that depend on it. “Protect our ocean. Protect our fish. Protect our jobs. Protect our communities. Protect our future. Reconsider the approval.”
By Rudi Bowe
