MSC SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES CERTIFICATION
On-Site Surveillance Visit - Report for Zhangzidao Scallop Fishery
1st Surveillance Audit
October 2016
Certificate Code F-ACO-0069 Prepared For: Zoneco Group Ltd. Prepared By: Acoura Marine Authors: Paul Knapman, Julian Addison, Allen Li
BH (21/10/15) – Ref FCR 2.0/GCR/2.1
Acoura Marine Surveillance Report
Zhangzidao Scallop
Assessment Data Sheet
Fishery name Zhangzidao Scallop
Species and Stock North Yellow Sea Yesso Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis)
Date certified 22nd April 2015 Date of expiry 21st April 2020
Surveillance level and type Level 7 (Normal) – On-site
Date of surveillance audit 12th – 14th September 2016
Surveillance stage (tick one) 1st Surveillance
2nd Surveillance
3rd Surveillance
4th Surveillance
Other (expedited etc)
Surveillance team Lead auditor : Paul Knapman Auditor : Julian Addison Local expert, translator and facilitator: Allen Li
Conformity Assessment Body Acoura Marine (CAB) name
CAB contact details Address 6 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9DQ
Phone/Fax 0131 335 6662
Email [email protected]
Contact name(s) Polly Burns
Client contact details Address Zoneco Group Ltd., 28F Wanda Center, No.6 Ganxing Road, Zhongshan District, Dalian, China
Phone/Fax 0411-82659666-8059
Email [email protected]
Contact name(s) Wang Yun
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Contents
1 Introduction ...... 4 1.1 Scope of Surveillance ...... 4 1.2 Aims of the Surveillance ...... 4 1.3 Certificate Holder Details ...... 4 Surveillance Process ...... 5 1.4 Findings of the original assessment ...... 5 1.5 Surveillance Activity ...... 5 1.5.1 Surveillance team details ...... 5 1.5.2 Date & Location of surveillance audit ...... 6 1.5.3 What was inspected ...... 6 1.5.4 Stakeholder Consultation ...... 6 1.5.5 Stakeholder meetings ...... 6 1.6 Surveillance Standards ...... 6 1.6.1 MSC Standards, Requirements and Guidance used ...... 6 1.6.2 Confirmation that destructive fishing practices or controversial unilateral exemptions have not been introduced ...... 6 2 Fishery Background ...... 6 2.1 Changes in the management system ...... 9 2.2 Changes in relevant regulations...... 9 2.3 Changes to personnel involved in science, management or industry...... 9 2.4 Changes to scientific base of information including stock assessments ...... 9 2.5 Update on enhanced fishery’s position in relation to scope criteria ...... 10 2.6 Control and enforcement ...... 12 2.7 Observed fishing operation ...... 12 2.8 Any developments or changes within the fishery which impact traceability or the ability to segregate between fish from the UoC and fish from outside the UoC (non-certified fish) ...... 13 2.9 TAC and catch data ...... 14 2.10 Summary of Assessment Conditions ...... 14 3 Results ...... 15 3.1 Condition 1 (UoCs 1, 2, 3, 4) ...... 15 3.2 Condition 2 (UoCs 1, 2, 3, 4) ...... 16 4 Conclusion ...... 18 4.1 Summary of findings ...... 18 5 References ...... 18 Appendix 2 - Stakeholder submissions ...... 22 Appendix 3 - Surveillance audit information...... 28 Appendix 4 - Additional detail on conditions/ actions/ results (if necessary) ...... 30 Appendix 5 - Revised Surveillance Program ...... 31
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1 Introduction
1.1 Scope of Surveillance This report outlines the findings of the 1st Annual Surveillance of the Zhangzidao Scallop fishery. The scope of the certified fishery and therefore of this surveillance is specified in the Unit of Certification (UoC) set out below:
UoC 1 Wild spat collection using suspended ropes and on-grown in pearl nets, i.e. catch and grow (CAG)
UoC 2 Hatchery reared spat on-grown in pearl nets i.e. hatch and catch (HAC)
UoC 3 Harvesting of adult scallops using divers
UoC 4 Harvesting of adult scallops using dredges
1.2 Aims of the Surveillance The purpose of the annual Surveillance Report is fourfold: 1. to establish and report on whether or not there have been any material changes to the circumstances and practices affecting the original complying assessment of the fishery; 2. to monitor the progress made to improve those practices that have been scored as below “good practice” (a score of 80 or above) but above “minimum acceptable practice” (a score of 60 or above) – as captured in any “conditions” raised and described in the Public Report and in the corresponding Action Plan drawn up by the client; 3. to monitor any actions taken in response to any (non-binding) “recommendations” made in the Public Report; 4. to re-score any Performance Indicators (PIs) where practice or circumstances have materially changed during the intervening year, focusing on those PIs that form the basis of any “conditions” raised. Please note: The primary focus of this surveillance audit is to assess changes made in the previous year. For a complete picture, this report should be read in conjunction with the Public Certification Report for this fishery assessment which can be found here: https://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/fisheries-in-the-program/certified/pacific/zhangzidao- scallop/assessment-downloads-1/20150413_PCR_SCA326.pdf
1.3 Certificate Holder Details
In 2014, the company changed its name from Zhangzidao to Zoneco Group Co., Ltd. The group was established in 1958, and was one of the first fishery companies in China to establish the “sea resources development model”, which promotes fisheries enhancement using an ecological and scientifically based model.
The Company attaches great importance to quality control systems and has established a quality assurance and tracing system for the whole process of propagation, cultivation, processing, purification and distribution, resulting in the Company's achievement of the ISO 9001 Quality System Certification, the US FDA Certification on HACCP and MSC Certification in 2015. In addition, all the major products pass the Organic Food Certification standard.
To support its fisheries program the Company has established strategic links with the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, the Marine Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Dalian Institute of Fisheries, the Ocean University of China, the Dalian Institute of light Industry, and the Marine and Fisheries Research Institute of Liaoning Province.
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Surveillance Process
1.4 Findings of the original assessment As a result of the assessment, two conditions of certification for each of the UoCs were raised by the assessment team, and maintenance of the MSC certificate is contingent on the Zhangzidao Scallop Fishery moving to comply with these conditions within the time-scales set at the time the certificate was issued.
1.5 Surveillance Activity
1.5.1 Surveillance team details This on-site surveillance visit was carried out by Paul Knapman, Julian Addison and Allen Li. The Team Leader was Paul Knapman. Paul Knapman (P3 & Lead Auditor) Paul is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and has recently returned to Fisheries Consultancy. He was the General Manager of Intertek Fisheries Certification a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) that focused their work on Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fisheries and chain of custody assessment / certification. He has extensive experience of MSC related work having been the Lead Assessor / Auditor and/or technical reviewer for 50+ client fisheries throughout the world. He was previously Head of an inshore fisheries management organization in the UK, a senior policy advisor to the UK government on fisheries and environmental issues, a British Fisheries Officer and a fisheries consultant to clients in Europe and Canada. Julian Addison (P1 & P2) Dr. Julian Addison is an independent fisheries consultant with 30 years’ experience of stock assessment and provision of management advice on shellfish fisheries, and a background of scientific research on shellfish biology and population dynamics and inshore fisheries. Until December 2010 he worked at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Lowestoft, England where he was Senior Shellfish Advisor to Government policy makers, which involved working closely with marine managers, legislators and stakeholders, Government Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations and environmental NGOs. He has experienced shellfish management approaches in North America as a visiting scientist at DFO in Halifax, Nova Scotia and at NMFS in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. For four years he was a member of the Scientific Committee and the UK delegation to the International Whaling Commission providing scientific advice to the UK Commissioner. He has worked extensively with ICES and was Chair of the Working Group on the Biology and Life History of Crabs, a member of the Working Group on Crangon Fisheries and Life History and a member of the Steering Group on Ecosystems Function. He has recently completed or is currently undertaking MSC full assessments for the Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab fishery, the Ireland and Northern Ireland bottom grown mussel fisheries, both the Estonia and Faroe Islands Barents Sea cold water prawn fisheries, the Nephrops fishery in the Skagerrak and Kattegat, the Swedish shrimp fishery in the Skagerrak and Norwegian Deep and the Eastern Canada offshore lobster fishery. He has also undertaken various MSC pre-assessments and surveillance audits and has carried out peer reviews of MSC assessments in both Europe and North America of lobster, cold water prawn, razorfish, cockle and scallop fisheries. Other recent work includes a review of the stock assessment model for blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay, USA, and an assessment of three Alaskan crab fisheries under the FAO- based Responsible Fisheries Management scheme. Allen Li (Local expert, translator, facilitator) Allen Li was a member of the original assessment team. He works for Intertek as one of their key auditors for BRC food, MSC CoC, GlobalG.A.P. and GMP Plus. He has extensive work experience and high level audit skills having done more than 100 BRC food, MSC CoC, GlobalG.A.P. and GMP Plus audits during past four years. He has a Masters Degree in Processing and Storage of Aquatic Products from Ocean University of China and has been involved in the trial audits of Tilapia Aquaculture Dialogue and GlobalG.A.P. Aquaculture. He was also involved in the MSC investigation of Chinese crayfish handled by Heiploeg in 2009, acting as translator and coordinator between the crayfish fishery and assessors and stakeholders.
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1.5.2 Date & Location of surveillance audit The audit took place in Dalian and Zhangzidao Island between 12 - 14th September 2016.
1.5.3 What was inspected The audit involved the review and inspection of progress against the conditions of certification; the scientific base of information to support the fishery; changes to the fishery and its management, e.g. legislation and regulations, personnel changes within the science and management structure and within the industry; control and enforcement; the fishing operation (dredge and dive); observations of the catch and bycatch recording; and, changes that might affect traceability within the fishery.
1.5.4 Stakeholder Consultation A total of 6 stakeholder organisations and individuals having relevant interest in the assessment were identified and consulted during this surveillance audit. The interest of others not appearing on this list was solicited through the postings on the MSC website.
1.5.5 Stakeholder meetings During the surveillance audit, the audit team met with the Client, scientists from the Zhangzidao Marine Research Institute and Government Institutes responsible for environmental monitoring, monitoring, control and surveillance officers, the Local Government Chairman on Zhangzi Island and local fishermen. The audit team also observed fishing practices on board a scallop vessel, and observed divers in action. A list of stakeholders that participated in the audit site visit is provided in Appendix 3.
1.6 Surveillance Standards
1.6.1 MSC Standards, Requirements and Guidance used This surveillance audit was carried out according to the MSC Fisheries Certification Requirements FAM 1.3 using process v2.0.
1.6.2 Confirmation that destructive fishing practices or controversial unilateral exemptions have not been introduced No indication was given or suggested during the surveillance audit to suggest that destructive fishing practices or controversial unilateral exemptions have been introduced within this fishery.
2 Fishery Background The Yesso or Japanese scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) was first introduced to the Yellow Sea in 1982. While considered an introduced species it is within scope for MSC certification as it meets requirements set out in Table 2 of the MSC Certification Requirements (CR) V2.0. The fishery is also considered to be an enhanced fishery, in accordance with Table 1 of the CR V2.0, as it includes wild spat collection, hatchery operations and seabed farming, with harvesting being undertaken by divers or vessels using dredges. The location of the fishery, including spat collecting area, is shown in Figures 1 – 4 below. An exclusive area of approximately 200,000 hectares has been established around Zhangzidao Island for the fishery (see Figure 2). UoC 1 - Catch and grow (CAG) – Adult scallop around Zhangzidao Island spawn between April and May. A prevailing current carries the fertilized scallop larvae eastward. Approximately 90 miles east from Zhangzidao Island, along the coast at Lvshun (Figures 3 and 4), scallop spat collectors are hung from anchored rafts. The collectors are composed of polypropylene pearl nets with different mesh sizes and provide ideal substrate on which the larval spat settle. After 3 - 4 months, the spat have grown to approximately 5 - 10 mm shell width. At this point they are sorted and transported in seawater tanks on board barges to Zhangzidao Island for further on-growing in pearl nets suspended from anchored and buoyed ropes. After a further 4 - 6 months, the scallops have grown to 30 - 50 mm shell width and are ready for sowing on the seabed within designated areas around Zhangzidao Island. The scallops are put in hoppers on barges and discharged at a regulated rate over sandy sea bed helping to ensure
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optimum stocking density on prime scallop habitat. They are left to grow, for 4 years before harvesting by divers or fishing vessels using scallop dredges.
o Latitude 39
Figure 1. Location of Zhangzidao Island in relation to Dalian, China.
Figure 2. Green outline showing border of exclusive scallop fishing area around Zhangzidao Island
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Figure 3. The eastern tip of the Liandong Penninsula in relation to Dalian (south west corner of the satellite image).
Figure 4. Spat collecting areas at Lvshun on the eastern tip of the Liandong Peninsula
UoC 2 - Hatch and Catch (HAC) - Scallop brood stock, harvested by divers, is brought into hatchery facilities on Zhangzidao Island where they are placed in optimum conditions that encourage spawning. Spat larvae are collected and on-grown in large holding tanks fed by seawater. Algae is cultured and used to supplement food at particular larval stages. No chemicals or artificial food is added at any stage of the culture process. The spat take 4 - 6 months to reach 5 - 10 mm shell width before being removed from the hatchery, placed in pearl nets and suspended from anchored and buoyed ropes at sea for a further 4 - 6 months. The scallops are then removed and sown over designated areas in the same way as in UoC 1. UoC 3 – Diver - In the inshore area, in depths of less than 25 m, diving is used for harvesting the broodstock for the hatcheries as well as providing a premium diver caught scallop product. There are
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38 registered divers in Zoneco Group. The divers work in pairs using their hands or rakes to fill netted bags that are brought to an attending surface boat. An area is only fished one year in four. UoC 4 – Dredge - In water greater than 25 m, fishing vessels use relatively light weight twin dredges to harvest the sown scallops. The dredges have net bags with 8 cm mesh that allows scallops of less than 3 - 4 years old to escape. The dredges are towed at approximately 1 knot, for 5 - 10 minutes. The dredges are equipped with wheels to reduce drag. Spring loaded rakes on the dredge bar aid fishing efficiency by improving contact and helping lift scallops out of the seabed over uneven ground. There are 21 dredge-fishing vessels in the Zoneco Group. A fleet of vessels will fish an area in staggered line astern each other, ensuring as much of the sea-bed is fished. An area is only fished one year in four.
2.1 Changes in the management system Two main changes in the fishery’s management were reported: i. Research on hatchery husbandry techniques undertaken by the Zhangzidao Marine Research Institute, have resulted in improvements in the survival and production rates of scallop spat. This has resulted in hatchery production being more economic than wild spat collection which has relatively high labour costs. In consequence, in comparison to previous years when spat collected in the wild provided the main source of spat that is on-grown in pearl nets and subsequently sown on the designated sites in the fishery, hatchery-reared scallop spat is now the main contributor to the fishery. ii. Sea-bed mapping and ground truthing, conducted by the Zhangzidao Marine Research Institute, has identified some areas of muddy substrate within the exclusive fishing area around the island. These areas are less than optimal for seeding and on-growing scallops. As a result, the area for seeding and on-growing scallops has been reduced and so quantity of scallop spat necessary to seed the grounds has been reduced. The audit team consider that neither of these changes affects the certification of the HAC and CAG UoCs.
2.2 Changes in relevant regulations There were no reported changes in regulations to the fishery.
2.3 Changes to personnel involved in science, management or industry There were no reported changes in personnel within the science, management or harvesting sector of the fishery.
2.4 Changes to scientific base of information including stock assessments A considerable amount of research and monitoring is associated with the fishery. The audit team was given presentations on the suite of monitoring, research and developmental work conducted by the 20 staff at the Zhangzidao Island Marine Institute. This work directly supports and feeds into current management and working practices associated with the fishery. This included: Seabed – 973 stations used to monitor the structure and chemical composition; sea bed mapping using Roxanne; Water quality – chemical composition, temperature and salinity; Current monitoring – to help predict scallop larvae transport and spat settlement; Sea bed impact work immediately after fishing and longer term recovery; changes to sea bed under scallop pearl nets; Scallop spat survivability – hatchery and wild spat; scallop sowing/stocking density; Hatchery techniques; Designing and testing raft structures to ensure stable platforms from which to hang pearl nets; Fishing gear development – e.g. upgrading fishing boats – moving toward glass fibre hulls; testing new materials to reduce fouling on spat collectors, fishing dredge design, different dredge net materials to reduce sand build up and select out broken shell; Processing equipment – methods to improve cleaning.
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2.5 Update on enhanced fishery’s position in relation to scope criteria
An enhanced fishery shall not be eligible for assessment if it does not conform to one or more of the scope criteria set out in Table 1 from MSC CR V2.0. The audit team reviewed each of the criteria as part of this audit. Table C1 below indicates the audit teams findings and conclusions: Table 1
A Linkages to and maintenance of a wild stock i At some point in the production process, the system relies upon the capture of fish from the wild environment. Such fish may be taken at any stage of the life cycle including eggs, larvae, juveniles or adults. The ‘wild environment’ in this context includes marine, freshwater and any other aquatic ecosystems. Findings: The MSC certified scallops from this fishery have either originated from: 1. Wild spat collected using rafts of spat collectors placed strategically in prevailing currents in coastal waters off the coast near Lvshun; or 2. Wild adult scallops harvested by divers that have been used as broodstock to produce hatchery reared scallop spat. Conclusion: The Zhangzidao scallop fishery relies on the capture of scallop from the ‘wild environment’ and so continues to meet criteria A1.
ii The species are native to the geographic region of the fishery and the natural production areas from which the fishery’s catch originates unless MSC approval has been given to include introduced species for the pilot phase. Findings: The Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) is an introduced species. It was introduced to the Yellow Sea in 1982. There are no formal historical records of the species existing in the Yellow Sea before this introduction. The audit team were told by retired fishermen that scallop were introduced by fishermen as a potential alternative resource following the decline of the pelagic and demersal fisheries more than 40 years ago. At the original assessment of this fishery the assessment team evaluated Yesso scallop against MSC Provisional Scope Criteria for Introduced Species Based Fisheries - Table CJ1 (Annex CJ MSC CR v1.3). They concluded that Yesso scallop met the criteria. MSC approved the conclusion and confirmed this is an Introduced Species Based Fishery (Interek 2015). Conclusion: While considered an introduced species it is within scope as it meets requirements set out in Annex CJ of the MSC CR v1.3, which have been confirmed by the MSC.
iii There are natural reproductive components of the stock from which the fishery’s catch originates that maintain themselves without having to be restocked every year. Findings: Both the dive and dredge caught fisheries rely on either the capture of wild spat produced by spawning adult scallops that live in the wild or from wild scallops that spawn in the hatchery with their larvae and spat being on-grown for approximately 4 – 6 months before being returned to the wild. Conclusion: There are natural reproductive components of the stock from which the fishery’s catch originates that maintain themselves without having to be restocked every year.
iv Where fish stocking is used in HAC systems, such stocking does not form a major part of a current rebuilding plan for depleted stocks.
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Note to This requirement shall apply to the “current” status of the fishery. Wild stocks shall be iv managed by other conventional means. If rebuilding has been done by stocking in the past, it shall not result in an out-of-scope determination as long as other measures are now in place. Findings: There is no formal assessment of the wild stock. The Risk Based Framework (RBF) was used at the assessment of the fishery to score PI 1.1.1, “The stock is at a level which maintains high productivity and has a low probability of recruitment overfishing”. The outcome of the Productivity Susceptibility Analysis (PSA), converted to MSC scores, resulted in all the UoCs scoring between 95 and 100. The audit team were not made aware of changes in the fishery that would significantly affect these scores. Therefore the stock is not considered to be depleted nor has it been considered depleted in the past. Conclusion The HAC system does not form part of a rebuilding plan. The Yesso scallop stock is not depleted nor has it ever been.
B Feeding and husbandry i The production system operates without substantial augmentation of food supply. In HAC systems, any feeding is used only to grow the animals to a small size prior to release (not more than 10% of the average adult maximum weight), such that most of the total growth (not less than 90%) is achieved during the wild phase. In CAG systems, feeding during the captive phase is only by natural means (e.g. filter feeding in mussels), or at a level and duration that provide only for the maintenance of condition (e.g. crustacean in holding tanks) rather than to achieve growth. Findings: During the hatchery stage (~ 4 - 6 months) the scallops feed on the phyto plankton that enters the hatchery with the supplied seawater i.e. the scallop food is from the immediate ‘wild environment’. This may be supplemented with small amounts of algae to assist growing to a small size prior to being released to the wild where they grow for four years before being harvested. The average weight of a 4 - 6 month old scallop is 0.18 gm. The average weight of an adult scallop is 150 gms, i.e. < 10%. Conclusion: The HAC system operates without substantial augmentation of food supply.
ii In CAG systems, production during the captive phase does not routinely require disease prevention involving chemicals or compounds with medicinal prophylactic properties. Findings: The CAG system in this fishery does not use chemicals or compounds with medicinal prophylactic properties. Conclusion: The captive phase of this fishery’s CAG system, does not use disease prevention involving chemicals or compounds with medicinal prophylactic properties.
C Habitat and ecosystem impacts i Any modifications to the habitat of the stock are reversible and do not cause serious or irreversible harm to the natural ecosystem’s structure and function. Note to i Habitat modifications that are not reversible are already in place and not created specifically for the fishery shall be in scope. This includes: Large-scale artificial reefs; Structures associated with enhancement activities that do not cause irreversible harm to the natural ecosystem inhabited by the stock, such as salmon fry farms. Findings:
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The fishery uses a system of anchored and buoyed ropes to support strings of pearl nets for juvenile scallop on-growing. At this stage there is no bottom contact apart from the relatively small areas required for the anchors. Although some habitat impact is inevitable, possibly through siltation or pseudo – faecal smothering, there is nothing to suggest that any modifications that occurred would be irreversible. The dredge fishery is carried out with scallop dredges that have wheels to reduce drag and indirectly reduce impact on the sea bed. The dredge is fitted with spring loaded rakes that help to lift scallops out of the seabed and improve fishing efficiency by following sea bed contours. The post fishing recovery time for the sea bed habitat is 4 years (Intertek, 2015). The dive fishery is considered to cause minimal impact as divers are more easily able to discriminate and select scallops as they harvest. The dredge and dive fisheries both operate on a 4 year rotational basis, meaning an area is only fished every 4 years. Conclusion: Any modifications to the habitat of the stock are not considered to be irreversible or cause serious harm to the natural ecosystem’s structure and function. Overall Conclusion in Relation to Meeting Enhanced and Introduced Species Criteria: The fishery remains in scope as an enhanced, introduced species based fishery.
2.6 Control and enforcement The audit team visited the fishery control and enforcement centre on Zhangzidao Island. Closed circuit video cameras are strategically placed around the island, enabling staff at the centre to monitor the coast and inshore areas for illegal fishing activity. Radar is also used to track vessels approaching or transiting the designated sea area around the island. If anything suspicious is observed, the police are informed and shore and sea-based officers are quickly deployed to investigate. The reported instances of illegal fishing are minimal.
2.7 Observed fishing operation The audit team had an opportunity to observe the fishing operation of a scallop dredge vessel and a dive vessel and inspect their catch:
Dredge fishing operation The audit team initially observed a fleet of 12 mid-sized (approximately 22 x 5 m) scallop dredge vessels, working together. The vessels towed in a staggered line, astern of each other at a slow speed, estimated to be 1-2 knots. After their tow, they dispersed, allowing enough space to haul their two dredges of approximately 4 m width. Using forward positioned derricks, the dredges were winched and lifted either side of the vessel above the deck amidships, and the contents of the dredge net bag released onto the deck. The dredges were re-set, the vessels re-aligned and the fleet recommenced a staggered tow, while the crew of 10 sorted through the catch. The audit team went aboard one of the vessels and observed a tow of approximately 14 minutes. An estimated 2 tonnes (green weight) of adult scallop was landed and sorted. Low numbers (i.e. in the order of 10s) of non-target species were observed, including starfish, conch, skate, anemone, octopus, hermit crab and angler fish. Very limited seabed debris, i.e. rocks and stones, were in the catch. The numbers of non-target species were observed being recorded in a log by the fishing captain. Dive fishing operation Two divers were observed operating from a vessel of approximately 10 m. They wore hooded rubber dry suits, with thick integral rubber gloves and reinforced knee and shin pads, conventional dive mask, fins and scuba diving gear with one tank and depth/contents gauges. They each carried a large net bag. They entered the water at the same time, signaling everything was good before diving. They worked separately, up to 30 metres apart, in a water depth of approximately 20 metres. After approximately 20 minutes they returned to the surface.
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On inspection of their combined catch, there were approximately 60 adult scallops, 4 large starfish, 6 spiny urchin, 6 whelks and 3 sea cucumbers. The divers confirmed they gather the scallops by raking the seabed with their hands and filling the net bag. They do not need to size select as the scallops are generally big and anything that is smaller than the bags mesh size is likely to fall through it.
Recommendation The audit team recommends that the client uses occasional independent observers to monitor the non- target species in the catch and make comparisons with data recorded by the captains. The observer programme should consider collecting additional data, e.g. non-target species size and weight, which would help contribute to the overall environmental monitoring being undertaken by the client. Such information will contribute to and support the re-assessment of the fishery.
2.8 Any developments or changes within the fishery which impact traceability or the ability to segregate between fish from the UoC and fish from outside the UoC (non-certified fish) No changes within the fishery were reported that would impact traceability or the ability to segregate certified and non-certified fish. The MSC certificate for this fishery extends to the first point of sale, where upon, Chain of Custody begins. The vessels operating within the Zhanzidao Island’s UoCs are all owned and operated by the Zoneco Group. No other vessels are allowed to fish in these areas. Catch from each vessel is recorded, sorted, boxed and clearly labeled. The label includes the vessel number, species, date of capture and estimated weights. There is no processing at sea. There is no incentive to fish outside the designated sea area around Zhangzidao Island, as the density of scallops is not sufficient to make it worthwhile. There is a 24 hour monitoring and radar system in place that would detect any other vessels entering the area.
Adult harvested scallops caught by dredging and diving are landed at the port of Golden Pebble Beach on Zhangzidao Island. Landings at all locations are recorded and inspected by assigned Zoneco Group staff.
Wild caught spat are landed at the Lvshun Branch port facility, and transported in seawater tanks on board Zoneco Group owned vessels to Zhangzidao Island for on-growing and sowing in designated areas. No scallop species other than the Yesso scallop is harvested in the fishery. However, it is noted that the Zoneco Group have indicated their intentions (Zoneco 2016) of researching the potential for introducing Atlantic scallop into a deep-water area within the Zhangzidao designated fishing area. If this does take place, the client will need to ensure this does not compromise their chain of custody, i.e. the potential for mixing certified and non-certified scallop or scallop products. There are no inseparable or practically inseparable (IPI) species in the fishery. All the scallops are harvested, stored, processed and sold by the Zoneco Group.
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2.9 TAC and catch data Table 2.9-1 TAC and Catch Data
Production figures Units of Certification 2014 2015 (mt or numbers) (mt or numbers)
1 Wild spat collection using suspended ropes and on- 500 million 300 million grown in pearl nets, i.e. catch and grow (CAG)
2 Hatchery reared spat on-grown in pearl nets i.e. 2.7 billion 2.1 billion hatch and catch (HAC)
3 Harvesting of adults using diving 575.6 mt 999.1 mt
4 Harvesting of adults using dredging 21,009.7 mt 18,265.6 mt
2.10 Summary of Assessment Conditions Table 2.10-1 Summary of Assessment Conditions Condition Performance PI original PI revised Status number Indicator (PI) score score
1 3.2.2 Ahead of target. 75 80 Closed
2 3.2.5 On-target 75 75
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3 Results
3.1 Condition 1 (UoCs 1, 2, 3, 4)
PI number Scoring Guidepost text Score Explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and Performance relevant recommendations 3.2.2 75 Indicator & Score emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity (Scoring Issue 80d).
By the third annual audit, for all Units of Certification, the client must provide evidence to demonstrate that: Condition Explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity – (Scoring Issue d).
1. The client will provide an update and evidence of the actions that have been taken to meet the condition. 2. The client will provide evidence of the use of information gathered by the research projects to inform decision-making in a precautionary manner for all the units of certification. 3. By the third annual audit, for all Units of Certification, the client must provide Milestones evidence to demonstrate that explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging
from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity – (Scoring Issue d). All of the milestones have been defined as a means to monitor progress in meeting the condition. Meeting the milestone requirements would likely not result in a change of score at surveillance audits 1 - 2. Provided the actions defined in the milestones and the deliverables in the client action plan are met, the PI would likely be re-scored at 80 or higher.
Zoneco Group and the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences has completed the project “Aquatic farming system establishment in the North Yellow Sea“. This work is being used as an evaluation basis for Zhangzidao scallop. The results will be summarized and its application on Zhangzidao scallop will be reviewed and explained. Included in this project are studies on the relationship between bottom matrix, temperature, farming density, feeds, survival rates of sowed scallop, growth Client Action status and relative fatness. As well physical factors such as sea current, Plan temperature, sea water chemistry, ecosystem data, etc, were investigated and analyzed, and will be input for bottom sowing density control and farming management. Data from work recently completed studies including: “Scallop bottom sowing in autumn”, “Releasing technique research for scallop marking” and “Farming techniques for raft culture”, “Environmental online checks for sea stations” and “Scallop survival investigation at different sea stations”, will be analysed and used to inform decision making. Further work on investigating environmental and bio- factors within the Zhangzidao registered sea area will be carried out.
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The processes and results from all the above projects will be used to demonstrate that decision-making processes use the precautionary approach and are based on best available information. Year 1 The client will provide an update and evidence of the actions that have been taken to meet the condition. Year 2 The client will provide evidence of the use of information gathered by the research projects to inform decision-making in a precautionary manner for all the units of certification. Year 3 The client will provide evidence to demonstrate that explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity.
The audit team met with staff from the Zhangzidao Marine Research institute. Presentations on their work showed a broad range of monitoring, research and development. Examples are highlighted in section 2.4 of this audit report. It was clear that the suite of work undertaken at the Institute feeds in to the management of the fishery. Examples of this include: 1. Improvements in hatchery husbandry techniques which have resulted in improved larval and spat survival and production rates. As a result, of this and economic factors related to wild spat collection, hatchery produced spat now surpasses wild caught spat. Progress on Condition 2. Seabed mapping has identified some areas within the Zhangzidao designated fishing area with high mud content. This type of substrate is [Year 1] not good for scallop growing. As a result, a management decision was taken to reduce the production area for scallops. The client provided a translation of a shareholder update that explains the management decision to reduce the production area (see Appendix 2). The audit team conclude that evidence was provided that demonstrates that explanations are provided for action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity.
Progress against this condition is ahead of target. The information provided at Status of this year’s audit satisfies the audit team that the SG 80 has been met and the condition condition can therefore be closed. A revised scoring rationale is provided in Appendix 1.
3.2 Condition 2 (UoCs 1, 2, 3, 4)
PI number Scoring guidepost text Score
The fishery-specific management Performance system is subject to regular 3.2.5 75 Indicator & Score internal and occasional external review. (Scoring Issue 80b)
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By the fourth annual surveillance the client must show evidence of an external Condition review of the fisheries specific management system to have taken place and a programme to continue occasional external reviews.
1. By the first annual audit, the client must provide evidence that there is commitment for an external review of the management system by an external agency. 2. By the second annual audit the client must report on progress in establishing this external management review. 3. By the third annual audit the client must report on progress in establishing the external management review. Milestones 4. By the 4th annual audit the client must show evidence of an external review of the fisheries specific management system to have taken place and a programme to continue occasional external reviews. All of the milestones have been defined as a means to monitor progress in meeting the condition. Meeting the milestone requirements would likely not result in a change of score at surveillance audits 1-3. Provided the actions defined in the milestones and the deliverables in the client action plan are met, the PI would likely be re-scored at 80 or higher.
Zoneco Group will invite the independent consultancy services of Ernst & Young Client Action Global Limited and SGS to evaluate the whole system of Zhangzidao scallop Plan farming. As well, every 2 years an independent external evaluation on Zhangzidao Fishery will be carried out and be used in the management review
and implemented by the Zoneco Group.
The client provided a 200+ page report undertaken by Ernst & Young that reviewed management aspects of the Zhangzidao Scallop Fishery. The report was provided in Mandarin. Following discussion with the client it became apparent that the report reviews the business aspects of the Zhangzidao Scallop Fishery. The audit team conclude that there was a misunderstanding of the required intent and outcome of this condition as the report does not look at the practical aspects of managing the fishery. The audit team commend the client for the rapid production of the report and their clear intent to fulfil the condition within the first year of the certification. The audit team consider that the client has provided evidence of their commitment Progress on for an external review by an external agency thereby meeting the first annual Condition milestone. However, given the focus of the report is not on the management [Year 1] aspects that were required by the condition, the audit team recommend that the client appoints an external individual(s) or organisation with recognised expertise in scallop culture and harvesting, and have them review the fishery with the intent of offering observations and recommendations for the potential improvement in how the fishery might operate, e.g. by comparing aspects of the fishery with management best practice from elsewhere around the world. The audit team note that the Zoneco Group has established strategic relations with research institutes in China and Norway and these links may provide an ideal opportunity to implement a management review and initiate further occasional external management reviews. The audit team also recommend that the client carefully consider how the report is presented and updated as it could provide a valuable information source to assist the client in future MSC audits and/or re-assessments.
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The audit team do not think it necessary to revise the milestones that were set when the fishery was certified and consider the 2nd annual milestone is the point of reference for the next annual audit. Status of Progress toward meeting the condition is on target. condition
4 Conclusion
4.1 Summary of findings The fishery continues to operate at a high level. The client has demonstrated that explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity. Condition 1 has therefore been re- scored at 80 and closed. Condition 2 is on target and remains open. Next year’s audit can be “off-site”.
The audit team makes a number of non-binding recommendations:
The client considers using independent observers to occasionally monitor the non-target species in the catch and make comparisons with data recorded by the captains. The observer programme should consider collecting additional data, e.g. non-target species size and weight, which would help contribute to the overall environmental monitoring being undertaken by the client. The client considers appointing an external individual(s) or organisation with recognised expertise in scallop culture and harvesting, and have them review the fishery with the intent of offering observations and recommendations for the potential improvement in how the fishery might operate, e.g. by comparing aspects of the fishery with management best practice from elsewhere around the world. In so doing, the client may want to consider how the report is presented and updated as it could provide a valuable information source to assist the client in future MSC audits and/or re-assessments.
The fishery continues to be certified.
5 References Intertek 2015, Public Certification Report, Zhangzidao Scallop Fishery https://www.msc.org/track-a- fishery/fisheries-in-the-program/certified/pacific/zhangzidao-scallop/assessment-downloads- 1/20150413_PCR_SCA326.pdf MSC Certification Requirements Version 1.3 https://www.msc.org/documents/scheme- documents/fisheries-certification-scheme-documents/msc-scheme-requirements/msc-certification- requirements MSC Fisheries Certification and Guidance Version 2.0 https://www.msc.org/documents/scheme- documents/fisheries-certification-scheme-documents/fisheries-certification-requirements-version-2.0
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Appendix 1 – Re-scoring evaluation tables The following scoring table for PI 3.2.2 has been copied from the Public Certification Report and amended in blue text. The revised scoring rationale results in the fishery meeting the requirements of SG80.
The fishery-specific management system includes effective decision-making PI 3.2.2 processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the objectives
Met? SG Issue Justification/Rationale (Y/N)
60 a Y There are some decision-making processes in place that result in measures and strategies to achieve the fishery-specific objectives.
All UoCs exceed this level of performance for this SI.
b Y Decision-making processes respond to serious issues identified in relevant research, monitoring, evaluation and consultation, in a transparent, timely and adaptive manner and take some account of the wider implications of decisions.
All UoC exceed this level of performance for this SI.
80 a Y There are established decision-making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the fishery-specific objectives.
The decision-making process is clearly outlined in the Chinese Fishery Law. Within the Zoneco Group, there are in place clear processes that are documented and known to all members. For example the Board Regulation manual contains procedures to control quality policy making and objective setting, management review, budget control and strategy planning. There are established decision-making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the fishery-specific objectives. Consultation processes are well established between the national authorities and the scallop industry. These are both formal and informal and result in measures to improve the fishery. The decision making processes have clearly resulted in measures and strategies to achieve the objective of a sustainable viable scallop fishery. The Company responds to advice from the government and research institutes in a timely and transparent manner as evidenced in both P1 and P2 issues There is evidence that decisions are based on a precautionary approach and explanations made to the cooperative members at regular meetings.
b Y Decision-making processes respond to serious and other important issues identified in relevant research, monitoring, evaluation and consultation, in a transparent, timely and adaptive manner and take account of the wider implications of decisions.
The decision-making process is clearly outlined in the Chinese Fishery Administration. The decisions result in measures and strategies being taken to achieve the identified fishery-specific objectives. Decision making takes into account results of research and monitoring by the Group and the Government An example is that if pollution is detected, the fisheries in the related sea area will be closed until the pollution has been cleaned up. The response to a
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The fishery-specific management system includes effective decision-making PI 3.2.2 processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the objectives
Met? SG Issue Justification/Rationale (Y/N) serious issue was demonstrated in June 2011 with the occurrence of oil spills by ConocoPhillips, the American oil company, that engulfed large areas of Bohai Bay in north China. Dalian Marine Fisheries Service reacted quickly and also started to monitor the sea water condition on a daily basis. Decision-making processes respond to serious and other important issues identified in relevant research, monitoring, evaluation and consultation, in a transparent, timely and adaptive manner and take account of the wider implications of decisions.
c Y Decision-making processes use the precautionary approach and are based on best available information.
Commission agreements and proposals for scientific research on scallops are always in line with the Group’s policies which clearly state a commitment to the precautionary approach. Decisions are made based on the information inputs from expertise within authorised bodies, local colleges in fisheries, Group internal operators and experts, and the fishery organisations, where daily and specific scientific research project data on scallop fishing operations are provided. Internal transparent and collective meetings or workshops for decision making are held to maximize the input of common views and to facilitate implementation of decisions. Current bottom sowing density is defined based on small trial tests, from farming practice in Japan and the carrying capacity inspections carried out in 2008. No regularly or specifically updated information/data is obtained on the carrying capacity of bottom sowed Yesso scallops to demonstrate its current suitability Decision-making processes use the precautionary approach and are based on best available information.
d NY Explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity.
There is little evidence provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity. For example current bottom sowing density is determined based on small trial tests, the farming practice in Japan and the carrying capacity inspections done in 2008. No regularly or specifically updated information/data is obtained on the carrying capacity of bottom sowed Yesso scallops to demonstrate its current suitability. Monitoring of environmental conditions (e.g. seawater and substrate chemical composition) research (e.g. sea bed mapping) and research and development (e.g. hatchery husbandry techniques), have been undertaken by the Zhangzidao Marine Research Institute. Monitoring and research work is published. The client takes account of the work by adapting or changing management practices in the fishery.
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The fishery-specific management system includes effective decision-making PI 3.2.2 processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the objectives
Met? SG Issue Justification/Rationale (Y/N) The client provides explanations of management actions, e.g. a shareholder meeting this year was provided with information that sea bed mapping had identified habitat within the Zhangzidao designated fishing area that is not favourable for scallops and so had reduced the size of the scallop growing area accordingly. Therefore, explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity.
100 b N Decision-making processes respond to all issues identified in relevant research, monitoring, evaluation and consultation, in a transparent, timely and adaptive manner and take account of the wider implications of decisions.
All UoCs do not meet this high level of performance for this SI.
d N Formal reporting to all interested stakeholders describes how the management system responded to findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity.
All UoCs do not meet this high level of performance for this SI.
Chinese Fishery law References Chinese Fisheries Administration Scientific proposals Zoneco Group Board and Shareholder Paper 2016 UoC 1:75 80 OVERALL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SCORE: The score is 75 because UoC 2:75 80 all of the scoring issues for the 60 guidepost are met and 3 out of the 4 at the SG 80 level. UoC 3:75 80 UoC 4:75 80
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Appendix 2 - Stakeholder submissions The client provided the following translated document as evidence to support the required outcome of Condition 1, i.e. Explanations are provided for any action or lack of action associated with findings and relevant recommendations emerging from research, monitoring, evaluation and review activity.
证券代码：002069 证券简称：*ST獐岛 公告编号：2016—42
獐子岛集团股份有限公司
关于海洋牧场生产模式升级及放弃不适播海域的公告
Zoneco Group Co., Ltd
Announcement on Upgrading Production Mode of Sea Ranch and Abandoning Unsuitable Sea Area
本公司及董事会全体成员保证信息披露的内容真实、准确、完整，没有虚假记载、误导性陈述或重大遗漏。
The Company and all members of the Board of Directors warrant that the information disclosed is
true, accurate and complete, and there are no false records, misleading statements or material
omissions.
一、 情况概述 Overview of the situation
2014年12月以来，獐子岛海洋牧场研究中心与中国科学院海洋研究所、中国水产科学院黄海水产研究所、挪威海洋研究所等机构合作对海洋牧场进行了会诊，根据獐子岛海洋牧场现状结合先 进的生产理念，依据底播扇贝的生活习性、各区域的环境特点、历年来的生产效果等提出了“3+1”模式：即生产和休耕有机结合的可持续发展新模式，实行放弃一部分养殖条件差的海域，根据养殖容 量休耕一部分海域，正常生产一部分海域；确权海域实行养殖周期结束后休耕1年再底播，以利于生态恢复及产业可持续发展。
Since December 2014, Zhangzidao Marine Ranch Research Center and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Marine Research, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and other agencies work together on the marine ranch, according to Zhangzidao marine ranch status, combining with advanced Production concept, and based on the habits of the scallops, the regional environmental characteristics, years of production effect, propose the mode of "3 +1,i.e., new and sustainable development mode combining production and fallow, to abandon part of breeding sea area which is with poor conditions, to fallow part of sea areas and arrange production in some sea areas according to aquaculture capacity; to bottom breed after 1 year of breeding cycle, which is helpful for ecological restoration and sustainable development of industry
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在上述科研机构的支持下，公司已经完成了海洋牧场“3+1”可持续耕作规划，决定从2016年开始实施。根据“识别、避让、容量、标准、良种”的海洋牧场建设方针，公司将由规模型向关注 单位产出率的质量效益型转变，剥离海域风险、优化区域容量、提升海洋牧场可持续性，推动海洋牧场产能与经济效益逐步恢复，实现海洋牧场“耕海万顷、养海万年”和“有质量增长、可持续发展”的愿 景。
With the support of the above research institutes, the Company has completed the "3 + 1" sustainable farming plan for marine ranch and decided to implement it from 2016. Based on the principle of "Rearing, Avoiding, Capacity, Standard and Fine Breed", the company will shift from mass-scale to quality-efficiency-oriented style which focuses on unit output rate, will peel of the risks, optimize regional capacity, improve sea ranch sustainability, push productivity improvement and economic effects rehabilitation, to realize the vision of “plowing a thousand hectare of sea and nurture the sea for a thousand years” and “quality growth, sustainable development".
第五届董事会第四十次会议决定放弃不适宜虾夷扇贝底播的确权海域79万亩，降低海域使用金成本约3,600万元/年，海域调整完成后公司确权的虾夷扇贝底播规划面积约241万亩，逐步实 现年滚动收获60万亩左右、产量3-4万吨；公司仍会坚定不移地对深水区域的适播品种进行研发、中试探索，其中南部区域3万亩海域作为大西洋深水扇贝等新品种实验区。
The 40th meeting of the Fifth Board of Directors decided to abandon 790,000.00 Mu of sea area which is not suitable for bottom breeding of scallop, this cut down the usage cost at 36M renminbi per year, bottom breeding area for scallop is 2,410,000.00 Mu after sea area adjustment, gradually realize annual rolling harvest of 60,000.00 Mu, production of 30,000.00-40,000.00 tons; the company will continuously research on species which are suitable for deep sea area, among which 30,000.00 Mu in south area will be test area for Atlantic deep sea scallop.
二、已履行的论证与审批程序 Fulfilled Demonstration and approval procedures
1、2016年5月7日，公司召开了专家评审会，评审意见主要内容为：
May 7, 2016, the company held an expert review meeting, main content of the review as below:
（1）《獐子岛集团海洋牧场生产模式升级计划》目标明确，符合《大连现代海洋牧场建设整体规划（2014-2020）》以及《长海县现代海洋牧场建设总体规划》要求。
" Upgrade plan of Zoneco Group marine ranch production mode" is with clear objective, is in line with "Dalian modern marine ranch construction overall planning (2014-2020)" and "Changhai County modern marine ranch construction general plan" requirements.
（2）识别优质海域、避让不适宜底播的区域、提高良种覆盖率、建立全流程标准体系、根据生态容量适度减少底播规模，这种生产模式符合生态系统水平的海洋牧场科学管理规律，有利于北黄海 海域虾夷扇贝产业可持续发展。
To identify the high-quality sea areas, to avoid unsuitable bottom breeding areas, to improve breeding coverage, to establish standardized system, to lessen bottom breeding scale according to the ecological capacity, this mode of production comply with the scientific management of marine ranch, is good for sustainable development of scallop industry in North Yellow Sea area.
（3）基于环境、容量、生物等因素的科学分析，为实现企业由规模型向质量型、效益型转型，《獐子岛集团海洋牧场生产模式升级计划》中提出的不适宜虾夷扇贝底播海域可考虑放弃。
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Based on the scientific analysis of environment, capacity, biology and other factors, to shift from scale type to quality and benefit type, the unsuitable sea area for scallop" which proposed from " Upgrade plan of Zoneco Group marine ranch production mode" can be given up.
2、2016年5月9日，公司召开第五届董事会第四十次会议，会议以6票同意，0票反对，0票弃权，审议通过了《关于海洋牧场生产模式升级及放弃不适播海域的议案》。
On May 9, 2016, the Company held the Fortieth Meeting of the Fifth Board of Directors. The meeting examined and approved “the Proposal on Upgrade of the Production Mode of Marine Ranch and Abandon of Unsuitable Breeding Area” by 6 votes, 0 votes against, 0 abstentions. ".
三、拟放弃海域的具体情况说明Descriptions of specific sea areas that to be abandoned
2016年公司拟放弃不适宜使用的底播海域79万亩。拟放弃区域系从环境、生物、容量等因素进行分析与估测，依据底播扇贝的生活习性、各区域的环境特点、历年来的生产效果等确定为不适 合继续底播虾夷扇贝。具体为：
In 2016 the company intends to abandon the unsuitable bottom breeding area of 790000 Mu. The areas to be abandoned is analyzed and estimated from the environment, biology, capacity and other factors. Based on the living habits of the scallops, the environmental characteristics of each area, and the production effect over the years, the areas are not suitable for bottom breeding of scallop. Specifically including:
（一）环境因素 Environments
拟放弃区多为软泥底不适宜虾夷扇贝生存：公司对确权全海域进行环境调查，其中獐子岛西部海域底质粒度含泥量过大，部分区域底质偏软，实践证明不适宜虾夷扇贝底栖生存。同时，拟放弃区域还 存在以下环境因素：
Most of the proposed abandonment areas are with oft muddy bottom which is unsuitable for survival of scallops: The company carried out environmental investigation on the whole sea areas which are with right, the west Zhangzidao sea area is with too much mud , some areas are with over-soft bottoms, which are not suitable for survival of scallop. Meanwhile, there are environmental factors for the proposed abandonment areas, see below details:
1、 獐子岛西部及西南部拟放弃区温度变化剧烈，不适宜虾夷扇贝生长：根据2013年到2015年连续3年的北黄海海洋环境监测平台潜标数据，该区域为冷暖水锋面交汇 区，受北黄海冷水团和辽南沿岸流锋面影响底层水温在夏季波动很大。据公开发表的文献《温度对虾夷扇贝生理和生化反应的影响》：温度剧烈变化导致虾夷扇贝酶活性降低 ，摄食率、代谢率下降，不利于水生生物的生长和繁殖。
Temperature changes severely in the proposed abandonment areas in west and south-west area of Zhangzidao, it is not suitable for survival of scallop: According to data of the North Yellow Sea marine environmental monitoring platform from 2013 to 2015 for three consecutive years, the area is a confluence area between the cold and warm water front intersection, which is affected by the severe temperature change in north Yellow Sea cold water mass and Southern Liaoning coast flow front.. According to the published literature, " Effects of temperature on physiological and biochemical reactions of scallop ": a dramatic change in temperature will lead to reduced activity of P. sclerotiump, low feeding and metabolic rate, is not conducive to the growth and reproduction of aquatic organisms.
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獐子岛南部拟放弃区域全年平均水温偏低，虾夷扇贝适温期短：该区域离岸较远，水深均超过45米，靠近冷水团中心活动区域。因受北黄海冷水团东北部外缘影响，虾夷扇贝最佳生长适温期（10- 20 ℃）逐渐缩短，从北部区域的6个月减至南部区域的4个月。较低的水温也影响贝类饵料生物的生长，易造成虾夷扇贝的基础摄食率不足，生长趋慢和营养积累不足。
The annual average temperature of the proposed area in south Zhangzidao is lower than normal level, scallops do not have enough time to suit: the area is far from coast, average sea depth is 45 meters, is also close to cold water mass. Due to influence of north-east edge of the North Sea Cold Water Mass, the best growth period (10-20 ℃) for scallops is gradually shorten, from 6 months of north area to 4 month of south area. Low temperature also influence the grow of food organism for scallop, which could lead to insufficient basal feeding rate, slow growth and insufficient nutrient accumulation.
2、 海洋岛西部等海域拟放弃区域地貌不稳定或海底障碍物较多：流沙底、细砂含量偏高的区域海底地貌不稳定，不利于虾夷扇贝底栖生存；海底障碍物较多对捕捞作业工具损坏 严重，不适宜进行虾夷扇贝增殖放流及回捕。
The sea areas in west of Haiyangdao that to be abandoned are with unstable landforms or with more obstacles at sea bottom: the sea bottoms with shift sand and more shift sand are landforms-unstable, not good for habitat survival of scallop; More obstacles at sea bottom with destroy fishing tools, not suitable for the proliferation and release of scallops and back to catch
（二）生物因素：拟放弃区域的生产效果较差，尤其是相关区域2014年遭受了巨大灾害损失。观测数据分析结果显示：
Biological factors: production effect of the proposed abandon area is poor, especially it suffered from huge disaster in the region in 2014. Observation data analysis results show:
1、 相关区域在特定时段存在水温日变幅加大、水温日变化频繁、氮磷比升高等现象。水温日变化频繁且幅度较大将对虾夷扇贝生长、存活产生较大影响；氮磷比升高导致了浮游 植物的种类和数量发生变化，虾夷扇贝饵料藻类质量下降，易造成虾夷扇贝的基础摄食率不足，生长趋慢和营养积累不足。
» The daily variation of water temperature was increased, the diurnal variation of water temperature was frequent and the ratio of N / P was increased. First two factors will influence much for scallops’ growth and survival; Increase of N / P ratio will cause the change of the phytoplankton species and quantity, scallop algae quality decreased, all these will cause insufficient feeding rate, slow growth and insufficient nutrient accumulation for the scallop.
2、 拟放弃区多为软泥底，历年来公司的生产作业发现，相关区域凿贝才女虫等污损生物附着严重。根据公开发表的文献《凿贝才女虫（polydora ciliata） 繁殖发 育生物学和附着变态初步研究》：凿贝才女虫喜欢生活于泥质海底，凿贝才女虫会侵蚀感染虾夷扇贝贝壳。凿贝才女虫的附着会导致虾夷扇贝贝壳易损坏、品相差。
» The proposed abandon area is mostly with soft mud bottom, over years of the company's production operations, we found much polydora ciliata and other fouling organism seriously. According to the published document "Breeding and Developmental Biology and Attachment Metamorphosis of Polydora ciliata,": polydora ciliata love living in pelagic seabed and is more likely to be infected with the scallop shellfish. Scallop shells which were attached will be fragile and with poor appearance.
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（三）容量因素：Capacity Factors
根据以下情况估测大面积的虾夷扇贝底播对其合理养殖容量产生了显著影响，放弃部分不适宜区域将优化区域容量、增加适播区域的浮游生物水平，有利于虾夷扇贝单位产出率的提升。
It is estimated that large-area scallop bottom sowing has a significant impact on its reasonable aquaculture capacity, and the abandonment of some unsuitable areas will optimize the regional capacity and increase the plankton level in the sowing area, and is good for improvement of unit output rate.
1、 长海县底播增殖海域由2006年的100余万亩增至目前的超过600万亩，在这一过程中，自2012年开始出现了底播海域面积增长，但单位产出率与总体产量大 幅下降的情况。
In Changhai County, the sea bottom sowing area increased from 1 Million Mu in 2006 to over 6 Million Mu at present time, but since 2012 in above duration, the bottom sowing area increased, contrarily unit output rate and total output decreased in large scale.
2、 据2015年2月公开发表的文献《北黄海獐子岛养殖海域营养水平与虾夷扇贝增殖渔获量评估》，獐子岛海域的底播虾夷扇贝总体容量已经受到磷营养限制。2015年 7月，黄海水产研究所对獐子岛确权海域底层浮游植物丰度进行了监测；2015年10月，公司监测了獐子岛区域底层浮游植物丰度，区域差异情况明显。
Evaluation of north the Yellow Sea Zhangzidao waters breeding and the nutrition level of Yesso Scallop in Shell proliferation catch
According to "Evaluation on nutritional level and scallop proliferation of catch in the North Yellow Sea Zhangzidao aquaculture area," published in Feb. 2015, Total capacity of bottom breeded scallop in Zhangzidao sea area was restricted by phosphorus nutrition. In July 2015, the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute took a monitor on phytoplankton abundance in bottom level in Zhangzidao sea area; in October 2015, same monitor was did by the company, regional differences were obvious.
四、其他事项 Others
根据公司《确权海域变动管理规定》“公司确权海域每一年度内单笔或累计变动面积超过上年年末的10%时，须提交董事会审批并履行临时信息披露义务”的规定，公司本次放弃不适播海域的审 批程序符合上述规定。
According to "Regulations on Ownership Sea Area Management" of the company, it should be submitted to the board of directors and fulfill the obligation of release temporary information if the change area exceeds 10% (single or accumulated) than that of last year end.
The procedure of abandoning unsuitable bottom sowing area conforms to above regulations.
此事项尚需经主管海域行政管理部门批准后逐步实施，存在一定不确定性。敬请投资者注意投资风险。
The matter still need to be approved by the administrative departments of the sea area and to be implemented gradually, there is some uncertainty. Please pay attention to investment risks.
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公司独立董事对此发表了独立意见，详见公司于2016年5月10日刊登在巨潮资讯网（http://www.cninfo.com.cn）上的《独立董事对相关事项发表的独立意见》（公告 编号：2016—43）。
The independent directors of the company issued a separate opinion, see " Independent opinions issued by independent directors regarding related matters" on May 10, 2016 in cninf (http://www.cninfo.com.cn) (Notice No.: 2016 - 43).
特此公告
獐子岛集团股份有限公司董事会
2016年5月10日
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Appendix 3 - Surveillance audit information Copies of meeting attendance record for the site visit:
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Appendix 4 - Additional detail on conditions/ actions/ results (if necessary) Not applicable
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Appendix 5 - Revised Surveillance Program
Table 5.1 : Surveillance level rationale
Year Surveillance Number of Rationale activity auditors
2 Off-site audit 2 remote One condition remains and progress against the auditors condition can be verified remotely.
Table 5.2: Timing of surveillance audit
Year Anniversary Proposed date Rationale date of of surveillance certificate audit 2 22nd April 2015 April 2017 The 2016 audit site visit was in September. There appears to be no reason to delay the 2017 audit much beyond the anniversary date.
Table 5.3: Fishery Surveillance Program Revised
Surveillance Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Level On-site On-site Off-site Off-site surveillance Level 4 surveillance surveillance surveillance audit & re- audit audit audit certification site visit.
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