Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.3
Mine
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Ambatovy Project
262
January 2006
The protection and conservation measures applied to the ephemeral ponds and 1
st
order streams in the azonal protected areas will be monitored to ensure these
areas are being preserved.
Downstream monitoring of watercourses will be based on environmental effects
monitoring, which include flow and water quality integrated with periodic
observations of habitat conditions.
4.3.6
Key Question FA-2: What Effect Will the Project Have
on the Abundance of Aquatic Biota, Survival of
Endemic or Native Species and the Community
Structure?
4.3.6.1 Impact Pathway
The abundance and survival of aquatic biota (fish and invertebrate communities)
can be affected by mine activities during construction, operation and closure
phases. Changes will result from:
•
community (habitat) modification and fish health;
•
introduction or establishment of non-indigenous species; and
•
restoration programs.
Community (Habitat) Modification and Fish Health
Removal and drainage of existing watercourses and water bodies eliminates the
capability of the local area to support fish and other aquatic biota, and may also
result in the mortality of biota within the mine disturbance footprint. The
alteration or disturbance of aquatic habitat in watersheds downstream of the mine
(change in flows and water quality) can directly or indirectly affect the
productivity and composition of fish and invertebrate communities. Disturbance
of fish and invertebrate populations will also occur during watercourse crossings
associated with the water pipeline, access and haul roads. Loss and disturbance
of the fish and other aquatic communities using these habitats will occur during
the mine project. Physical habitat assessments have been discussed in Key
Question FA-1; the use of these habitats by fish species and/or macro-
invertebrates will be addressed here.
Fish health effects result when the physical or chemical characteristics of water
vary outside the normal tolerance range of fish. Change in fish health can result
from construction and /or operation of mine production facilities and associated
