Fishy business. The Social Impact of SST.pdf - Act Now!

In general, I feel SSTC has presented a document that provides the basis for minimising thenegative effects and enhancing the positive effects of a tuna factory in Wewak. It does notaddress the question of whether a tuna factory is necessarily a good development option forWewak or the Sepik. With that in mind, my comments are confined to those areas I considerrequire further investigation.My main conclusion is that there are several technical areas requiring initial and on-goingassessment by outside experts. The following suggestions are made:•That an independent process for checking the legitimacy of the physical environmentalmanagement systems, standards and/or guidelines be followed in the yet-to-be tabledenvironmental monitoring plans;•That initial assessments of these plans to be done by regulatory authorities in the United Stateswhere StarKist Seafoods operates tuna processing plants;•that the on-going auditing of these plans be done by outside agencies contracted by the SSTC;•that a proper social impact assessment be undertaken by an outside authority jointly contractedby the SSTC and the provincial/central government;•that depending on the outcome of the social impact assessment, a process be set up to monitorimpacts, and a clear framework be set up for responding to negative social trends with costs tobe met jointly by the company and government agencies.Elements of the above have already been put in place by the SSTC. For example, thecontaminant marine outfall discharge criteria are based on licensing conditions imposed by theUnited States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (p8.11). I suggest augmenting theseelements with outside expert input. For example, is it reasonable to transfer guidelines based onUSEPA criteria from one outfall to another? Have the dilution factors been correctly estimated?(My own assessment is that the dilution effects on such an outfall would rule out any negativeecological impacts).I have provided expert comment where I can, particularly in the area of procedures forenvironmental assessments and monitoring. But my own area of technical expertise (freshwaterecology and catchment management planning) and professional experience (effects assessmentauditing, establishing monitoring programmes and sustainable development) does not coverdeep water fisheries, marine ecology, fish processing and social impact assessments. While Ihave some experience in each of these areas through my work, and I have gathered as muchbackground data as time has allowed, my comments are indicative only.Please note that extra technical assessments need not necessarily be expensive nor timeconsuming. In some cases they will simply involve reviewing the detailed environmentalmonitoring plans in order to assess legitimacy and feasibility. Such a process will assist both theOEC and DES in making a decision as to whether the SSTC proposal will provide a net socialbenefit with acceptable physical environmental impacts.I note that SSTC may not necessarily be able to address directly all the issues raised in thiscommentary because many are outside its area of primary responsibility. However, the companynotes in this Environmental Plan that it intends to work with governmental authorities andothers to address ancillary infrastructural and social issues. This is a positive gesture and wewould like to assist the SSTC in this.The Involvement of WWF79