Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.3
Mine
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Ambatovy Project
275
January 2006
populations of predators such as the snakehead become well established, the
effect may be neutral as many of the fish currently harvested are exotics
(i.e.,
Tilapii sp.
on the Mangoro River). New species (endemics) may be
introduced to the mine reclamation area during closure, and this may result in
development of artisanal fisheries for consumption or aquarium trade, with a
long-term positive consequence.
4.3.7.5Impact Analysis
Residual Impacts
Residual impacts of changes to the artisanal fisheries as a result of the Ambatovy
Project mine site construction operation and closure are summarized in
Table 4.3-11.
Table 4.3-11 Potential Effects and Residual Impacts for Artisanal Fisheries
Project
Period
Potential Effects
Mitigation
Residual Impacts
construction
eradication of important fish species
during mining
effects on aquatic species during
water pipeline and road
construction
fish salvage; availability
for local use or sale
low magnitude/long-term loss within the
mine disturbance area
low magnitude / short-term loss during
infrastructure construction
operation
loss of aquatic biota associated
with drainages on the ore bodies
potential change in use of
downstream aquatic biota as a
result of increased access
introduction / expansion of exotic
fish species
salvage program
local environmental
education programs
low magnitude / long-term
low magnitude / medium-term change
as a result of harvest of downstream
fish and biota
neutral effect on existing local harvest
as a result of exotic fish introductions
closure
development of surface water
features to support productive
endemic fish populations
introduction of valued
endemic species
low magnitude / long-term harvest of
aquatic biota
The extent and use of aquatic resources within the mine disturbance area is
moderately well understood and based on observation during field programs, but
the level of information on specific use and harvest of aquatic resources in the
downstream and remaining LSA is poorly understood. The prediction
confidence for impact ratings for biota within the mine disturbance boundary is
moderate, as there is limited potential for local use of the resource. The
prediction confidence for impact ratings for use of fish and aquatic communities
downstream is considered low.
