Fisheries - Enviro Dynamics Namibia
Fisheries - Enviro Dynamics Namibia
Fisheries - Enviro Dynamics Namibia
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
F I S H E R I E S , M A M M A L S A N D S E A B I R D S S P E C I A L I S T S T U D Y<br />
Table 2. Impact assessment table summarizing the impact of phosphate mining on the<br />
main <strong>Namibia</strong>n fisheries<br />
Nature of the<br />
impact<br />
Extent<br />
Duration<br />
Intensity<br />
Probability<br />
Final Report<br />
<strong>Namibia</strong>n Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd.<br />
The impact on fishing operations of phosphate mining on the main <strong>Namibia</strong>n fishing<br />
sectors; a) hake trawl and b) hake longline, c) monk trawl d) horse mackerel mid-water<br />
trawl, and e) small pelagic purse seine fisheries. The fishing sectors will not be able to<br />
operate in certain areas due to 1) actual mining operations due to dredging operations<br />
and vessel activities, 2) associated sediment plumes 3) exclusion zones around the mining<br />
site and 4) increase levels of maritime traffic associated with the mining operation.<br />
MLA - fishing operations will be affected in the MLA and beyond to within a 25 km<br />
boundary of the actual target mining sites SP-1, SP-2 and SP-3.<br />
Long term - the direct impact will cease once the mining activity ends after 20 years (the<br />
period for which the mining licence is issued). Thereafter the recovery of the fishing<br />
grounds and fish abundance to levels prior to the commencement of mining operations is<br />
expected to take up to 20 years (long term)<br />
Serious effects - significant impacts will occur for the duration of mining in the MLA,<br />
moderate effects are expected to occur in the long term once mining ceases (up to 20<br />
years).<br />
Definite- consequences will occur in all instances for the duration of mining. Once mining<br />
ceases consequences are expected to occur in some instances (moderate effects) within<br />
the MLA and persist at a reduced level in the long term within the 25 km boundary zone.<br />
Status (+ or -) Negative - the impact will result in a direct loss in fishing operations in MLA<br />
Significance (no<br />
mitigation)<br />
Mitigation<br />
Significance (with<br />
mitigation)<br />
Confidence level<br />
Medium - the project design might require modification to accommodate certain fishing<br />
operations<br />
Consider options to minimise impact on fishing operations for example options with<br />
respect to spatial and temporal area closures.<br />
Medium to low<br />
High - the evaluation is based on good qualitative and quantitative, historical and current<br />
fisheries related data.<br />
Page 56
Change language