Workers in the fishing industry are against turning the ocean into an experimental ground for phosphate mining. About 5 000 workers held a peaceful demonstration at Walvis Bay on Thursday, to condemn phosphate mining. The group comprising 17 companies urges the Government to do extensive research before approving or disapproving phosphate mining. Its spokesperson says if the Government grants permission without research, the livelihood of 15 000 people in the industry will at risk. Dicken Chabola claims that the scientists who carried out research so far, have been paid by two mining companies, saying their results cannot be trusted. The group wants the Government to engage independent and internationally-recognized scientists to determine if phosphate mining will have a negative impact on fish species or not. Chabola argues that marine phosphate mining will damage the fish breeding grounds. The group handed over a petition to the Special Advisor of the Erongo Governor, Adelheid Kandjala. Kandjala promised to hand it over to the Governor for the attention of President Hage Geingob.