GROWFISH INTERNATIONAL (MAURITIUS) LTD

FISH FARMING AT SEA IN DECLARED FISH FARMING ZONES OF BAMBOUS 1 and BAMBOUS 2

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 1-1
1.1 The Proponent ..................................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Aquaculture in Mauritius ..................................................................................................................... 1-2
1.2.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 1-2
1.2.2 Opportunities................................................................................................................................... 1-2
1.2.3 Fish Farming Sites ............................................................................................................................ 1-2
1.3 The Project in Brief .............................................................................................................................. 1-2
1.4 The Project Team ................................................................................................................................. 1-5
1.5 Justification of the Project ................................................................................................................... 1-5
1.6 The Timeframe for Project Implementation ....................................................................................... 1-6
1.7 Scope and Methodology of the Environmental Impact Assessment .................................................. 1-6
1.8 Liaison with Authorities and Stakeholders .......................................................................................... 1-6
1.8.1 Consultation with Relevant Authorities .......................................................................................... 1-6
1.8.2 Public Participation Process............................................................................................................. 1-6
1.9 Structure of the EIA Report ................................................................................................................. 1-7
2 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK ....................................................... 2-1
2.1 The Environment Protection Act 2002 ................................................................................................ 2-1
2.1.1 The Act ............................................................................................................................................. 2-1
2.1.2 The Requirement for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ...................................................... 2-1
2.1.3 Environmental Protection Standards and Guidelines ..................................................................... 2-2
2.2 Other Main Applicable Legislation and Policies .................................................................................. 2-3
2.2.1 The Aquaculture Master Plan .......................................................................................................... 2-3
2.2.2 The Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 ................................................................................ 2-4
2.2.3 The Maritime Zone Act 2005 ........................................................................................................... 2-5
2.2.4 National Environmental Strategies.................................................................................................. 2-5
2.2.5 The National Biodiversity Strategic and Action Plan (2006-2015) .................................................. 2-5
2.2.6 The Planning and Development Act 2004 and National Development Strategy 2003 ................... 2-5
2.3 International Treaties and Agreements .............................................................................................. 2-6
3 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................................. 3-1
3.1 Site Description.................................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.1 Declared Fish Farming Zones ........................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.2 Growfish International Fish Farming Zones..................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Project Description .............................................................................................................................. 3-3
3.2.1 Principle, Concept and Purpose of Farm ......................................................................................... 3-3
3.2.2 Land-based Hatchery/Nursery......................................................................................................... 3-3
3.2.3 Marine-based Fish Farming Zones of Bambous 1 & 2 ..................................................................... 3-5
3.2.4 Fish Handling ................................................................................................................................... 3-9
3.2.5 Low Density Approach ..................................................................................................................... 3-9
3.3 Safety Fish Policy ................................................................................................................................. 3-9
3.4 Environmental Policy ......................................................................................................................... 3-10

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 3.5 Fish Escape......................................................................................................................................... 3-10
4 SOCIAL ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT .............................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1 Growfish International Commitment .................................................................................................. 4-1
4.2 Creation of employment ..................................................................................................................... 4-1
5 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................. 5-1
5.1 The Study Area .................................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.2 Scope and Methodology of Surveys .................................................................................................... 5-1
5.3 Bathymetry .......................................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.3.1 Survey Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.3.2 Survey Result ................................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.4 Current Monitoring.............................................................................................................................. 5-1
5.4.1 Survey Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.4.2 Survey Results .................................................................................................................................. 5-2
5.5 Water Quality Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 5-2
5.5.1 Sampling Methodology.................................................................................................................... 5-2
5.5.2 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................. 5-3
5.6 Marine Fauna & flora........................................................................................................................... 5-3
6 PREDICTED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND POTENTIAL MITIGATING MEASURES ................................... 6-1
6.1 Scoping and identification of Potential Impacts.................................................................................. 6-1
6.2 Impacts Evaluation and Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................... 6-3
6.2.1 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 6-3
6.2.2 Impacts Evaluation and Mitigation Measures ................................................................................. 6-4
6.3 Summary of Impacts after Mitigation Measures................................................................................. 6-1
7 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN ........................................................................................................ 7-1
7.1 Proposed Environmental Monitoring Plan during Installation of the Fish FArm ................................ 7-1
7.1.1 Site Preparation ............................................................................................................................... 7-1
7.1.2 Installation Phase ............................................................................................................................ 7-1
7.2 Proposed Environmental Monitoring Plan during Operation Phase ................................................... 7-1
7.2.1 Farm monitoring Environmental Aspects ..................................................................................... 7-1
7.2.2 Farm monitoring Production and Process .................................................................................... 7-1
7.2.3 Effluent monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 7-2
8 CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 8-1
9 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................. 9-1

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A Administrative Documents

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