The developer of a Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project in Namibia has assured the country’s fishing associations the company has taken all the necessary precautions to safeguard the country’s fishing industry from any adverse impacts during the project’s lifespan.
Namibian Marine Phosphate CEO Chris Jordinson and COO Mike Woodborne told SeafoodSource the world class phosphate project off the coast of Namibia will actually support the Namibian fishing sector “through a process of transparent coexistence and cooperation.”
Jordinson termed the fears expressed by the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations on the possible destruction of Namibia’s marine fisheries by the mining project “unfounded and unsupported.”
He said the concerns raised by the fishing associations “have been fully addressed with sound scientific evidence and independent expert opinions that concluded NMP’s Sandpiper Project will have no significant impact on the marine environment or ecosystem.”
The experts, he said, reached a conclusion that Namibia’s commercial fishing sector “will not be adversely impacted by the Sandpiper project”
“There is adequate site and regional marine environmental information available and that the Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] completed by NMP is one of the most comprehensive environmental studies yet completed on the Namibian coast,” Jordinson said.
However, the Namibian government has the legal option of terminating the project should evidence emerge of adverse impacts on the country’s fishing sector due to implementation of the project.
“If government has reason to believe that NMP’s Sandpiper Project is harmful to fishing and/or the marine environment, the Government has the right to not renew NMP’s environmental clearance certificate,” said Woodborne.
The certificate is renewed every three years after a comprehensive review of whether the company has performed in accordance with the science set out in the EIA, and the ongoing monitoring requirements as set out in the EMP.
NMP, which is currently proceeding with the initial recruitment of more than 600 workers for the project, has previously said it is committed to operate its Sandpiper Project in accordance with all the regulations in the Environmental Management Act of 2007 (EMA2007) according to Woodborne.
“These regulations alone should provide Fisheries with sufficient confidence that if NMP does not comply with the EMA2007’s regulatory requirements, then Government can withdraw and refuse to renew the ECC, which is the norm for all mining projects,” Woodborne said.
Both Jordinson and Woodborne have urged Namibia’s fishing associations to focus more findings or evidence based on scientific data or studies to rally the morale of their members and address any concerns.
They asked the fishing associations to acknowledge or accept “the scientifically supported independent expert opinions and findings of the comprehensive EIA and public consultation process” and assured the company’s support for Namibia’s fishing industry in the long term.
Photo courtesy of Namibian Marine Phosphate
