Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.3
Mine
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Ambatovy Project
273
January 2006
•
Routine maintenance and inspection of the water intake screen to ensure
proper operation and integrity to minimize entrainment.
•
Closure monitoring of species restoration and recovery programs.
4.3.7
Key Question FA-3: What Effect Will the Project Have
on Artisanal Fisheries?
4.3.7.1 Impact Pathway Evaluation
The harvest of aquatic biota (fish and invertebrate communities) by artisanal
fisheries can be affected by mine activities during construction, operation and
closure phases. Changes may result from:
•
accessibility to the mine area;
•
fish availability and health; and
•
species changes.
Accessibility
Increased harvest of fish and invertebrates by artisanal fisheries (consumption
and collection, i.e., aquarium trade) could occur because of changes in access to
the mine area.
Fish Availability and Health
Mine operation could interfere with or eliminate fish populations being currently
harvested in the LSA. Changes to fish health and condition could occur due to
mine effects within the mine downstream drainages and infrastructure (i.e., water
pipeline and service roads). This is a valid impact pathway if suitable species or
populations exist or remain in the local area watersheds for harvest.
Species Changes
Species may change as a result of introductions or habitat degradation during
operations. Species changes may also occur during closure and reclamation.
4.3.7.2 Assessment Methods
Mine plan information was reviewed to evaluate access and changes related to
infrastructure.
