NAMAGROEN EMPR Amendment.pdf - DLIST Benguela

Addendum to EMPR for Concessions 8(a), 9(a) and 8(b) 25Removal of sediments Status NegativeDirect mortality of infaunal and Probability Definite; removal of unconsolidatedepifaunal organisms, alteration ofsediments and their associated biota is anhabitat and benthic communityunavoidable consequence of dredgingcomposition, and potentialoperations.reduction in benthic biodiversity Confidence Highdue to the removal of benthic Extent Site-specific; confined to the dredgingorganisms during the dredgingtarget area.processDuration (a)-concessions:Short- to Medium-term; infill rates withinthe wave-base are expected to berelatively rapid and consequently recoveryof communities to functional similarity ispredicted to occur within a few years.(b)-concession:Long-term to Very long-term; althoughinfill rates are site-specific, beyond thewave-base they are expected to beextremely slow (3-5 mm per year) andconsequently recovery of communities tofunctional similarity is predicted to takedecades.Intensity Severe; all epifaunal and infaunal benthicorganisms in the mining target area areseverely disturbed or eliminated, andenvironmental functions and processes inthe mined and adjacent area maytemporarily and/or permanently cease.Significance HighLoss of macrofauna Status NegativeThe loss of macrofauna in the minedareas reduces the amount of foodProbability Highly probable (impact will most likelyoccur)available, both directly to demersal Confidence Mediumfishes and/or rock lobsters as well Extent Local; confined to the concession areaas to their prey utilising theseresourcesDuration (a)-concessions:Short- to Medium-term; recovery to afunctionally similar community is expectedto be rapid.(b)-concession:Long-term (