Fisheries - Enviro Dynamics Namibia

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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 numerous mammal and bird species will be occasionally found in or near the MLA (Para. 4.3 refers). Most mammal species are naturally inquisitive and certainly, any dredging activity will attract small marine mammals e.g. dolphins and seals. Larger, mostly migrating mammals are expected to avoid areas where maritime activity is high (although this does not exclude the possibility that large mammals will occasional be found in or near the MLA). Impacts on birds and marine mammals will nevertheless be limited to the actual mining site and immediate areas (500 m around the dredging location). Disturbance of the substrate is also likely to result in higher levels of biological activity, increased particulate matter (assumed of poor nutritional value) in the water column and at the surface. This will alter bird behaviour as they will be naturally attracted to these areas. The significance of the impact is summarised in Table 8. Table 8. Table of assessment of Impact 5 summarizing the likely impact of phosphate mining on the seabirds and mammals around the MLA. Nature of the impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Status (+ or -) Negative Significance (no mitigation) Mitigation Significance (with mitigation) Confidence level Final Report Namibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd. The impact of phosphate mining on seabirds and marine mammals. Mining operations might result in the displacement and/or redistribution of seabirds and mammals because of 1) disturbance of the ecosystem and availability of feed and 2) physical disturbance of the dredgers including noise pollution MLA - impact on seabirds and mammals is restricted to areas inside the mining licence area (ML 170) and possibly the surrounding areas including Zone 1 Medium term – The impact on sea birds and mammals will be for the term of the exploitation. Occasional interaction between the dredging operations and mammals and seabirds is likely although the actual level cannot be determined without more specific information on these groups for the MLA and Zone 1. Once mining ceases these groups will no longer be affected by the presence of the dredger although the alteration of behaviour of some species due to possible loss of foraging options cannot be determined. Minor effects - Trophic disturbances could have an impact on the behaviour of seabirds and marine mammals. Noise pollution is a consideration for marine mammals whose acoustic communications may be affected resulting in avoidance of the area. Night strikes of birds due to deck lights are likely. Probable - consequences of trophic interaction disturbances and noise pollution is highly likely. Medium – Most sea birds and mammal species found in the area will be affected but at a low level due to the limited extent of the mining operations. Maintain a bridge watch for large mammal species. Although the dredger will have limited manoeuvrability a protocol to limit interaction should be followed – in this regard JNCC guidelines are recommended. Lighting control to minimise night strikes of birds. Low Medium - information based on seabirds and mammals was provided by scientific specialists, however spatial data is limited. Baseline applies to the whole Namibian coast for most bird and mammal species – confidence relating to impact in the actual MLA is therefore low. Page 74
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 9 ASSESSMENT OF LIKELY FISHING ACTIVITY IN THE MLA AND ZONE 1 This section is an addition to the original draft EIA submission. It was requested that the levels of expected fishing effort in the MLA be described. Refer also to Para. 6.2 and 8 and Tables 1a and 1b. Ideally to be able to estimate the historical movements of fishing vessels in and around the MLA, start and end positions of trawls and gear sets is required. The data provided however was limited to single set locations for trawls, longlines and other gear types. Broad assumptions of our fishing assessment are as follows : 1. We assume that fishing effort is located around the central point of each of the proposed areas to be mined (SP-1, SP-2 and SP-3); 2. On average a trawler (monk or hake) will tow for about three hours at a speed of 3-4 knots; 3. We acknowledge that this may not always be the case, such as for longer tows at night, midwater trawls etc. The objective is to give a broad indication of effort levels in the mined and adjacent areas; 4. As we have no end positions, we assume therefore that the fishing will occur in a radius around the central points of each mined location. This radius approximates 19.4 km; 5. These radii are illustrated in Figure 50. 6. We have also had to approximate the number of vessels operating in each fishery. This was extracted from the MFMR website (www.mfmr.gov.na) which provided data for 2009 (so current vessel quantities are assumed the same). Note this is only to obtain a broad estimate as we were only provided with the actual effort hours in Tables 1a-b. 7. For the fisheries in which we were provided data on vessel displacement (GRT) we also estimated the levels of effort in GRT groups so that the vessel size historically active in the MLA and Zone 1 could be gauged. Final Report Namibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd. Page 75
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Tables and Figures F I S H E R I E
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1 INTRODUCTION F I S H E R I E S ,
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Fisheries - Enviro Dynamics Namibia

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