3 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

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1 3 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 3.1 SITE DESCRIPTION Declared Fish Farming Zones Per the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007, a fish farming zone means a fish farming zone referred to in section 8A which reads: Section 8A. Delimitation of fish farming zones Notwithstanding any other enactment, the areas of sea specified in the First Schedule shall be fish farming zones, i.e. in a radius of up to 300m around the following GPS points The Fisheries and Marine Resources (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations 2014 (GN No. 68 of 2014) provides the amended list of fish farming zones (table 3-1 below) in a radius of up to 300m around the following GPS points: Zone Area of Site Reference Coordinates - GPS Latitude (South) Longitude (East) 1 Ouest Ile Flammand Sud Pointe Grande Passe Sud Diamant Reef Roche Plat Roche Zamari East Bambous East Bambous Nord Est de Jonchee Bank Ouest Ilot Marianne Baie Fer a Cheval Sud Banc Fer a Cheval Spit Sud Ouest Olive Bank Pont Molino Nord Est Annanas Bank Le Morne Le Morne Bambous Bambous Trou aux Biches Anse La Raie Table 3-1: Scheduled Fish Farming Zones The 20 sites allocated for fish farming have been plotted on Google Earth and shown on Figure 3-1 hereafter Growfish International Fish Farming Zones Per the letter issued on 17 November 2016 by the Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Island, an authorisation in principle is granted to Growfish International in respect of the project for fish farming at the following sites: Le Morne 1, Le Morne 2, Bambous 1 and Bambous 2 (refer Table 3-1 above). 3-1

2 All four sites allocated to Growfish International, namely Le Morne 1 & 2 and Bambous 1 & 2 are offshore lagoon fish farming sites. Figure 3-2 below provides a zoom on Bambous 1 & 2. As shown on Figures 3-1 and 3-2 there are no other declared fish farming zones in the area. Figure 3-1: Scheduled Fish Farming Zones of Mauritius Figure 3-2: Fish Farming Zones of Bambous 1 & 2 3-2

3 3.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Principle, Concept and Purpose of Farm Growfish International intends to grow Cobia fish in offshore lagoon cage culture. The overall production scale is to get to 100,000 metric tons within 8-10 years The purpose of the farm is to grow fish and provide fish products on the national and international markets at a time when wild stocks have been over-exploited and should now be protected with quotas. The complete life cycle extends from the hatchery/nursery - to be located at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre - to the offshore farms - to be located at Bambous 1 & 2 and Le Morne 1 & 2. In the first years of operation, the fish will be exported raw; there will be no fish processing in Mauritius. Growfish International intends to seek the secured logistic package of the Mauritius Freeport Development (MFD) for all operations from the landing of harvested fish at MFD quay at the Port to export. An agreement will be signed between the parties upon receipt of all clearances for the project. A Letter of Intent has been secured from MFD confirming the above (refer Appendix A). Hatchery/nurser ay (broodstock) AFRC Fish Farm (adult fish) Bambous 1 & 2 Fish Handling (raw fish) MFD Market (local or international) Land-based Hatchery/Nursery Albion Fisheries Research Centre The Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC) is an existing research facility constructed by the Government of Mauritius for applied research, development and management activities in the fishing and or aquaculture sphere. The Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Islands is responsible for the operation, maintenance and management of the AFRC. One of the objectives of the Ministry, via the AFRC, is to provide support services to stakeholders in the fishing industry, including those in the aquaculture development. Whereas Growfish International is seeking to establish an aquaculture facility in the Republic of Mauritius in which it will breed and grow fish for commercial sale and is desirous to obtain support from the Ministry in relation to the AFRC; and whereas the Ministry is agreeable to explore with Growfish International possible avenues of cooperation and support in relation to aquaculture, it has been agreed that both parties would collaborate with a view to developing and growing Cobia fish fingerlings up to grow-out ocean size of approximately 150 mm, and such other species to be mutually agreed. As per clause 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the parties, the Ministry is agreeable to consider the feasibility of providing support and assistance to Growfish; which may include the provision of: a broodstock and system area at the hatcheries in the AFRC to be linked to a reticulation system for broodstock spawning and larvae; a larval rearing area to be located within the hatcheries to be linked to a reticulation system for larvae rearing; nursery ponds located within the grow-out ponds and lined to a pregrowing out nursery for larvae to juvenile fish rearing; 3-3

4 a demarcated and separated area within the laboratory area for the setting up of a system which will be linked to the reticulation system for quality assessment, water testing and certifications, and sample management. As per the above, the AFRC will encompass the following facilities: Broodstock: 6 tanks of 50m 3 each Hatchery larvae: 9 tanks of 2000L each Outside Ponds: 6 x 250m²; 4 x 252 m², 1 x 575 m²;1 x 1125 m²; 2 x 3000 m² The proposed reallocation of the existing internal facilities (tanks for broodstock, eggs and larvae) is shown on the Layout Plan attached. The aerial views of the AFRC attached show the existing external ponds to be used. Other facts: The broodstock could be caught locally or imported from reputable breeder. Growfish International shall comply with the requirements of the Competent Authority (Seafood) for the quarantine facility for imported marine organisms Eggs: an estimate of 1 million eggs produced per female per month; hatch 24 hours Eggs to larvae: 75 days to reach 30 grams Fingerlings: 53 days to reach 100 grams; 100,000 fingerlings per cage x 3 cages per month Transfer to marine cages: Transport of 100,000 fingerlings per cage; delivery is 3 cages per month Details on transport facilities as well as its optimisation is attached at Appendix C Quarantine Facilities A quarantine facility shall be provided in strict compliance with Annexure 7 of the BOI guidelines Procedure for Quarantine Facilities. The following considerations will be of paramount importance in the design of the quarantine facility: Segregation. The quarantine facility will be completely separate from the other facilities a single operational entity. The quarantine facility will serve one purpose: the performance of quarantine. It will not serve as an access way to other buildings or activities. Biosecurity. The quarantine facility will be designed to provide a high level of security, thereby guaranteeing strict isolation, so that any fish, pathogens, pests, or organisms are not released from the facility. Hatchery biologist management protocols to be followed with log book entry. Sterilization. The facility will be designed to contain and sterilize wastewater. Sterilization will conform to the Environmental Protection Act and the Central Water Authority Act. Additionally, the facility will be setup to destroy and disinfect fish, in the event of a serious disease or pathogen. All tanks and working equipment will be cleaned with chlorine solution. Transparency. Beyond the principles listed above, we ensure all quarantine actions are prior approved and supervised by the Competent Authority. The Competent Authority will be notified immediately if any of the following occur: 1. Suspected outbreak of disease; 2. Abnormal mortality of any fish; 3. Clinical sign of disease; and 3-4

5 4. Feed contamination. Clinical signs of infectious disease effecting more than 1% of any batch identified will be recorded in the hatchery biosecurity log book. Growfish will carry out a full investigation to ascertain the cause. Growfish will record the findings of the investigation and identify whether it was the result of disease, environmental changes or other factors. Daily checks will be performed on fish health, with a qualified biosecurity husbandry manager monitoring records and take action where these exceed expected levels. This duty will be signed off daily in Log book Hatchery Effluent All effluent will be treated prior to disposal. Growfish will ensure that the effluent disposal/treatment methods will not negatively impact the water quality of the area. Growfish will implement an effluent monitoring system and programme. Growfish will dispose/treat its saline hatchery effluent by means of an earthen canal leading to the settlement pond having a screened overflow. This will then lead to the existing outfall of AFRC. To prevent the potential release of concentrated disease pathogens that can possibly affect the local fish stocks, prior to release of its effluent, Growfish shall inspect its marine effluent waters for fingerlings/ fish accumulation, followed by subsequent removal and or euthanasia. Growfish will use a backup diversion pond in line with the hatcheries discharge canal to act as an effluent holding reservoir for chemical detoxification of any disease or disease earing effluent. An effluent quality monitoring programme will be implemented as part of the overall water quality monitoring programme, for which the parameters to be analysed will be determined. Growfish will commit to the construction of any additional effluent treatment system in the event that the monitoring programme indicates it to be necessary Marine-based Fish Farming Zones of Bambous 1 & 2 The main aspects of the fish farms are presented below. The complete product specification prepared by AKVA group is provided in Appendix D and forms part of the present EIA report Cages Specifications: 12 pcs. Polarcirkel HDPE Plastic Cages for offshore sites Standard Circumference (160m) Diameter (50m) Total Grid Size : 2 x 6 cluster shape Number of clusters per site: 4 clusters (could hold 8 clusters but reduced to 4 only) Total Cages per site: 2 x 6 x 4 = 48 cages Designed and built according to NS9415 (Norwegian Standard for aquaculture equipment) 12 x 48 pcs. 12mm stainless steel net hooks (one on top of each of the 48 railing stanchions on each cage) Anchoring: 8 x 12 pcs. anchor connector brackets. These are connected to the cages using special load straps Feed Barge 1 barge per 12 pens 3-5

6 AC 650 Panorama Feed capacity: 650t Feed barge moored Main Dimensions: o Length (ex. platforms): 31,3m o Beam: 12m o Hull height: 4m o Minimum freeboard: 1,233m Feed system: The feed system in this AC 650 Feed Barge is an Akvasmart CCS90 Feed System that is designed and specified to feed the site during normal year round operations. The feed system consists of a PC a man-machine-interface (MMI) an electrical control cabinet, a CCS control computer and various mechanical parts for transporting the feed from the silos to the cages Cage mooring system: Grid mooring system, complete (for 2x6 cages only) o Total grid size: 130 x 390m. o Grid frame size: 65x65m. Mooring Feed Barge 3-6

7 Figure 3-3: Cage Mooring System (grid) 3-7

8 Nets 12 pcs nylon nets for small fish and 12 pcs nets for large fish net mechanical cleaning system: Idema Net Washing System consists of the 5 disc washing rig and a heavy duty diesel driven high pressure saltwater pump system Idema Net Washing System Cleaning dead fish retrieval system (mort system): 1 unit per cage Monitoring Akvasmart camera system; 1 set per 12 cages. The main purpose of this camera system is to control the feeding appetite of the fish in order to feed correctly without feed waste and achieve minimum FCR (Feed Conversion Rate) and maximum SGR Specific Growth Rate). Akvasmart Environmental Sensor System: temperature, oxygen, current and other possible sensors. A minimum of three sets of sensors installed at1m, 7m and 20m water depth (hanging off the feed barge). This gives the farm staff better information to evaluate when and how much to feed, based on actual oxygen levels, temperatures and currents Fish Feed The fish feed can be supplied by Livestock Feed Ltd Mauritius. The feed is made to specification for Cobia Species. 3-8

9 Production capacity locally is 400 MT a Day Soy based so no GMO Frequency of feeding: once a day Harvest The fish is harvested from the cage upon reaching about 4kgs. The harvest method is vacuum suction with instant freeze; nets can also be used as an alternative Fish Handling As already stated, in the first years of operation, the fish will be exported raw; there will be no fish processing in Mauritius. Growfish International intends to seek the secured logistic package of the Mauritius Freeport Development for all operations from the landing of harvested fish at MFD quay at the Port to export Low Density Approach As mentioned in table 1-1, the normal density in cages is 15-23kg/m 3. Growfish International intends to have a stocking density of 6kg/m 3 and up to 10kg/m 3. The density of the farm is considered as a low density compared to other fish farms as provided in Table 3-2 below. FISH SPECIES AVERAGE KG / M3 Cobia At Growfish Intl 6-10 Sea Bass Culture Greece Salmon Culture Norway Common Carp In Cages European Trout In Raceways Tilapia In Cages African Catfish In Recirculation Table 3-2: Typical Density used by fish farmers 3.3 SAFETY FISH POLICY Growfish is committed to produce, handle, process, store and distribute aquaculture products with utmost care and diligence to deliver our products to the consumer with highest assurance of Food Safety. The objectives of the management are: 1. To supply safe food (i.e., aquaculture products) for human consumption 2. To assure good manufacturing practices (GMPs) in every process. 3. To adopt sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs) in all operations. 4. To meet the specifications and stipulation mutually agreed with the customer 5. To seek continual improvement in food safety management system. To meet these objectives, Growfish shall: 1. Review and improve the production and process technology periodically 2. Implement relevant hygiene and sanitation measures and procedures 3. Adopt new food-safety and quality standards 4. Communicate and interact with our stake holders and all relevant parties in the food chain. 5. Educate and train our staff periodically to commit ourselves as a team in pursuit of delivering only safest quality products. 3-9

10 A food-safety management system on trust, honesty and transparency. And Growfish are committed to adhere to all relevant National / International Standards as well as applicable regulatory / legal requirements. Top management shall ensure that the food safety policy, is appropriate to the role of the organization in the food chain, conforms with both statutory and regulatory requirements and with mutually agreed food safety requirements of customers, is communicated, implemented and maintained at all levels of the organization, is reviewed for continued suitability, adequately addresses communication, and is supported by measurable objectives 3.4 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Growfish is committed to produce aquaculture products using eco-friendly culture system, state of the art processing facilities and support services in accordance with the international principles of sustainable aquaculture production. NPC believes that environment protection is a prime corporate responsibility and fundamental for sustaining all its business. Therefore, all the NPC's business activities will reflect these beliefs and will strive constantly to adopt best management practices to conduct our operations in an environmentally responsible manner. Implement sound environment management practices to minimize the impact due to our business operations to the environment. Comply with all industry specific environmental regulations both national and international level and other requirements which NPC subscribes. Minimize resource consumption and waste generation by efficient use of resources and promote recovery, recycle and reuse. Protect and conserve all natural ecosystems in our area. Implement diseases management through adequate bio-security measures. Ensure improvement in our environmental performance by setting targets in accordance with the developments in the sector. Conduct necessary programmes to enhance environmental awareness among our employees. Encourage our business associates, suppliers and contractors to adopt similar approach for environmental protection. Review the policy and update the same to reflect the corporate commitment to environment protection. The management requests all concerned employees of the company that they shall be aware about this policy and they contribute their skills and talents to implement and maintain the environment management system by internalizing the commitment of the company for environment protection 3.5 FISH ESCAPE Fish escaping through holes in the net accounts for most of reported cases. Fish farm net deformation and loads are affected by three main factors: CURRENTS + NET TYPE (rigidity, drag, strength) + NET WEIGHTS. The proposed nets maintain a superior net shape in strong currents compared to conventional nets, thus providing optimum water flow and oxygen levels for the fish. Less net weights are then required to keep the net in place. The result is reduced deformation/drag, reduced risk of net chafe/damage and reduced overall displacement (weight) of the entire cage system. This means less load on the mooring systems and more reserve buoyancy for the cages. Moreover, Polarcirkel EcoNet, and/or Predator Net will reduce the risk of predators damaging and/or entering the nets. Overall, the risk of fish escaping through holes in net is drastically reduced. Nonetheless, since the Cobia (Rachycendron canadum) is already introduced in Mauritius and found in the wild, Growfish specialists indicate that there should be no adverse effect on aquatic wildlife if escape occurs. 3-10

11 Cobia Broodstock Cobia Broodstock Cobia Eggs Cobia Larvae

12 PONDS PONDS PONDS PONDS

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14 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m BAMBOUS 1 FISH FARMING ZONE 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m POTENTIAL PROJECT cages per cluster Clusters 7 4 Total Cages 84 48

15 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m BAMBOUS 2 FISH FARMING ZONE 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m BARGE POTENTIAL PROJECT cages per cluster Clusters 7 4 Total Cages 84 48