Environmental Assessment
Volume E-4.3
Tailings Facility
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Ambatovy Project
193
January 2006
Species change may occur due to habitat degradation caused by project-related
activities. The impacts on local fish use and harvest are difficult to assess, but
effects may be neutral as many of the fish currently harvested are exotics
(i.e.,
Tilapii sp
.) which are tolerant of habitat alterations.
4.3.7.5 Impact Analysis
Residual Impacts
Residual impacts of changes to the local use and harvest of fish and aquatic biota
as a result of the tailings facility construction, operation and closure are
summarized in Table 4.3-11.
The extent and use of aquatic resources within the tailings disturbance area is
based on observations during field programs. The level of quantifiable
information on specific use and harvest of aquatic resources in the tailings and
downstream area of the LSA is low, but it is known that specific fish families
(
Anguillidae
, eel and
Bedotiidae
, rainbow fishes) are fished for in this area.
Despite this limitation, the nature of the impacts from construction are well
understood and therefore the prediction confidence for impact ratings is
considered medium.
Closure goals will re-establish down stream flows, thus offering higher water
levels for increase in aquatic abundance.
Table 4.3-11 Potential Effects and Residual Impacts on Artisanal Fisheries in the
Tailings Area
Project
Period
Potential Effects
Mitigation
Residual Impacts
construction
eradication of important fish
species during drainage
effects on aquatic species during
service corridor construction
fish salvage; potential availability
for local use or sale; and endemic
relocation
moderate 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 in the tailings area
potential change in availability of
downstream aquatic biota as a
result of flow changes
change to quality of fish as a
result of contamination
work closely with local Malagasy
fisheries experts to develop
suitable management plans
tailings water management plan
moderate magnitude / long-
term
moderate magnitude /
medium-term change in the
local area
low to negligible effects on fish
harvest from potential
contamination
(a)
closure
establish tailings vegetative cover
to ensure clean runoff to
downstream basins.
increase and control downstream
flows and quality
low magnitude / long-term
harvest of aquatic biota
(a)
See Volume E, Section 5.4.
