Aquaculture in Natura 2000

Transcription

1 Aquaculture in Natura 2000 Vedran Nikolić DG ENVIRONMENT Nature unit Aquaculture in motion 2015 Integrating Aquaculture Bruxelles, 16 th November 2015

2 7 th Environment Action Program Living well, within the limits of our planet 2020 timeframe, 2050 vision, 9 priority objectives Commitment by EU and its Member States THEMATIC OBJECTIVES: Protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital Fully implement the EU Biodiversity Strategy Green & competitive growth low-carbon, resource-efficient economy Health & environment, human well-being LOCAL, REGIONAL, GLOBAL DIMENSION: Urban environment International ENABLING FRAMEWORK: Implementation Information, knowledge base Investment Integration, coherence

3 EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 "Our life insurance, our natural capital" A 2050 VISION European Union biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides its natural capital are protected, valued and appropriately restored. A 2020 HEADLINE TARGET Halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU and restore them insofar as feasible, and step up the EU's contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.

4 State of the nature in the EU: Results from reporting under the nature directives Conservation status of habitats and species and pressures Conservation status (CS) of habitats and trends The share of favourable assessments of marine and freshwater habitats is very low and for some the status is still unknown. For marine systems, the use of living resources and pollution are the main reported pressures and threats.

5 Natura 2000 Network established under Birds and Habitats Directives State of play: More than sites, marine sites Covers over 18% of EU land territory and more than 5% of EU seas ( km 2 ) Network is not complete in the offshore area Cornerstone of EU nature protection policy: aims to ensure long-term survival of Europe's most valuable/threatened species and habitats Human activities can take place if they are compatible with nature conservation objectives Conservation measures in the sites help maintain and restore habitats and species to a favourable conservation status Article 8 of the Habitats Directive foresees EU co-financing Economic benefits estimated: EUR billion p.a.

6 Within all Natura 2000 sites: Avoid damaging activities that could significantly disturb the species and/or habitats for which the site has been designated Positive measures are taken, where necessary to maintain and restore those habitats and species to a favourable conservation status in their natural range Many examples of coexistence between aquaculture and Natura 2000

7 Commission guidance

8 Guidance document on aquaculture and Natura 2000 Triggered by the need to boost sustainable development of aquaculture in the EU ensure a level-playing field among economic operators when implementing EU legislation. Aim: offer guidance to facilitate knowledge and implementation of EU legislation concerning Natura 2000 in relation to aquaculture activities, in order to build confidence, enable sustainable aquaculture, afford adequate protection to N2000 areas. Elaborated with the assistance of a Working Group consisting of representatives of Member States, aquaculture sector and NGOs. Final output: Commission services document, not legally binding, to be used by economic operators, authorities, NGOs, local communities and the public. Available at: management/docs/aqua-n2000%20guide.pdf

9 Main issues covered: The importance/prospects of aquaculture in the EU The EU biodiversity policy and the importance of the N2000 network Potential impacts of aquaculture activities on nature and wildlife and possible mitigation. The importance of strategic planning Step-by-step procedure for assessing aquaculture plans/projects potentially affecting N2000 areas in accordance with Art. 6 of Habitats Directive. Annexes (EU Policy and legal framework, initiatives to promote sustainable aquaculture, other information sources) Builds on exchange of information on existing experiences, available good practice and lessons learnt, national guidelines, published sources (key source: study done for the Commission (DG MARE): Huntington et al 'Some aspects of environmental impact of aquaculture on sensitive areas' 2006, fisheries/documentation/studies/aquaculture_environment_2006_en.pdf

10 Addressing potential effects of aquaculture on nature Case-by-case approach! Different aquaculture systems may have diverse effects on the natural environment Factors determining the significance of ecological effects: Location and siting of farm: ecological characteristics, conservation objectives of N2000 site, hydrographic conditions Cultured species Production method: extensive/semi-ntensive/intensive; open/closed systems Sensitivity of ecosystems, assimilative and carrying capacity of the environment Key factors to consider in order to prevent or reduce potential impacts: appropriate siting, implementation of good management practices and adequate mitigation measures to address the most significant pressures in the different aquaculture systems.

11 Example: Marine cage culture Impacts: Sedimentation of particulate organic waste: impact on mussel or polychaete reefs, seagrass beds, sand and mudflats, maerl and seaweed beds Nutrient enrichment Chemical use, impact on seagrass beds, mudflats, mussel beds, reefs Physical impacts of infrastructure from anchoring on seabed. Mitigation measures: appropriate siting, control of stock density, better feed digestibility, control of amount of feed,.. siting in exposed hydrodynamic conditions reduced use of chemicals, alternatives (eco-friendly antifouling coatings) adapting mooring methods Predators Escape of fish: genetic and ecological effects (interbreeding, predation, competition) farm protection

12 Key messages Strategic planning Spatial planning, including maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management, can facilitate the allocation of appropriate sites for aquaculture activities. The Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) aims to promote sustainable development and use of marine resources, including for aquaculture, through Maritime Spatial Plans to be established in each Member State by Spatial planning allows the identification of conflicts between different interests at a strategic level. Sensitivity mapping takes into account the type of aquaculture activities, the type of ecosystems and habitats and the hydrodynamic conditions in those areas. Most impacts can be managed and minimized through the appropriate siting and management of farms. Operational measurements of the capacity of the environment to accommodate aquaculture should be taken into account for site selection and management.

13 FINLAND: aquaculture site selection plan GIS spatial planning tool to identify suitable areas for aquaculture production At the coast, unsuitable areas were excluded with buffers concerning the depth of sea, summer cottages, waterways, nature protection areas etc.

14 Appropriate assessment Step by step process to assess likely significant impacts on N2000 AA must consider all the potential pressures and impacts on the sites conservation objectives and all the elements that are essential to the functioning and the integrity of the site. Design of mitigation measures is integral part of the process. AA should be made on a case by case basis, with a degree of expertise available at each stage of the assessment. The appraisal of effects should be based on the best scientific knowledge available, expert judgement and on-site surveys, as required. The outcome of the AA is legally binding. The project can be approved only if it is ascertained, taking into account mitigation measures or conditions introduced, that there will be no adverse effect on the integrity of the Natura 2000 sites or, if this is not the case, subject to the conditions of Article 6(4) (compensation). Coordination with EIA or SEA process possible/advisable to reduce burden and increase effectiveness.

15 IRELAND: A full appropriate assessment process conducted for multiple aquaculture and supporting projects in Castlemaine Harbour SAC and SPA The site-specific conservation objectives set by the nature conservation authorities for the site were considered in the process Objective: to maintain the favourable conservation condition of Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide in Castlemaine Harbour, which is defined by the following list of attributes and targets: - Target 1: The permanent habitat area is stable or increasing, subject to natural processes - Target 2: The extent of the Zostera dominated community is conserved, subject to natural processes. - Target 3 The following community types should be conserved in a natural condition: Intertidal muddy fine sand community complex; Fine to muddy fine sand with polychaetes community complex; Intertidal sand with Nephys cirrosa.

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