Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.3
Slurry Pipeline
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Ambatovy Project
117
January 2006
4.3
FISH AND AQUATIC RESOURCES
4.3.1
Introduction
This section presents the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the effects of the
slurry pipeline on fish and aquatic resources, and specifically addresses fish
communities, aquatic macro-invertebrates and habitat as outlined by the
Ambatovy Project (the project) Terms of Reference.
The EA presents a summary of baseline survey results and issues, followed by
the impact assessment. Detailed aquatic resources baseline reports relative to the
slurry pipeline are presented in Volume J, Appendix 3.1 (Attachments 1 and 2).
4.3.2
Study Area
The slurry pipeline will run over a distance of about 195 km from the mine site at
Ambatovy to the processing plant near Toamasina. The primary study area for
fish and aquatic resources falls within the slurry pipeline study area (Volume A,
Figure 7.2-2), and includes watercourses draining the Eastern Highlands and
Eastern Lowlands of Madagascar. Watercourses crossed by the pipeline drain
the ore bodies, the Torotorofotsy Wetlands, and the boundary of two nature
reserves, the Mantadia National Park and the Reserve Speciale Mangerivola.
The undulating topography along the pipeline route combined with the high
rainfall along Madagascar’s east coast results in a large number (present route
indicates 99 watercourses, final number based on route adjustments) of potential
watercourse crossings.
4.3.3
Baseline Summary
4.3.3.1 Introduction
The route selected for the slurry pipeline is as direct as practicable and avoids
sensitive habitats where possible, running along an abandoned railway line on the
north perimeter of the Torotorofotsy Wetlands, but avoids crossing the Mantadia
National Park and other mature forests where possible.
4.3.3.2 Methods
Sites were rated for on-site sampling from the results of an aerial reconnaissance
in August 2004 (Volume J, Appendix 3.1, Attachment 2). Standardized water
crossing surveys data records were completed during the reconnaissance to
describe the existing habitat and morphometric
condition, degree of potential
