Environmental monitoring and EIA
Environmental Monitoring and EIA.
The impacts of marine aquaculture on the environment are subject to two different monitoring approaches; monitoring involved in the process of an EIA, and monitoring which is carried out on a regular basis as part of a regulatory regime. EIA is a one off study, providing a snap shot of the environmental conditions at a site at the time the study is carried out. This information is used to predict and assess the likely impacts that may arise from an aquaculture development , and recommend mitigation measures which could reduce the impacts to an acceptable level.
Regular environmental monitoring of marine aquaculture is a separate process, usually linked to the licensing procedure granting the farmer permission to farm at that site. The licence will place limits on site biomass, cage/farm size, layout etc, and the environmental monitoring will vary according to the particular sensitivities of the receiving environment.
Regular environmental monitoring of marine aquaculture is a separate process, usually linked to the licensing procedure granting the farmer permission to farm at that site. The licence will place limits on site biomass, cage/farm size, layout etc, and the environmental monitoring will vary according to the particular sensitivities of the receiving environment.
Oyster trestle culture, France.
The procedure for carrying out an EIA in Europe is established through guidelines issued by the EU. The criteria about when an EIA is required, and who carries it out is left to individual member states to decide.
Environmental monitoring is more proscribed. Specific monitoring methods, indicators and frequency of monitoring will be detailed in the statutory requirements for each member state. A very detailed account of the environmental monitoring carried out in the UK, in relation to aquaculture, is found on the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency website.
Environmental monitoring is more proscribed. Specific monitoring methods, indicators and frequency of monitoring will be detailed in the statutory requirements for each member state. A very detailed account of the environmental monitoring carried out in the UK, in relation to aquaculture, is found on the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency website.
