Marystown Marbase Cleanerfish Hatchery Project
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Environmental Preview Report for Marystown Marbase Cleanerfish Hatchery Project October 16, 2020 Executive Summary This Environmental Preview Report (EPR) has been prepared by Marbase Cleanerfish Ltd. (Marbase) for the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities (DECCM) pursuant to the Minister’s Decision Letter of February 12, 2020, and in accordance with the EPR Guidelines issued June 11, 2020. The document addresses issues identified with respect to the construction and operation of a lumpfish hatchery (Marbase Cleanerfish Hatchery) in Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador, at the Marbase Aquaculture Service Hub site (formerly the Marystown Shipyard). The Marbase Cleanerfish Hatchery will grow and sell lumpfish to sea-cage rearing operations throughout Atlantic Canada where sea lice may be present as a risk to the farmed salmon. By consuming the sea lice, the lumpfish act as an effective form of natural, biological control. This method of environmental management is not new to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The development of lumpfish as a cleanerfish has evolved out of research and development work carried out at The Memorial University of Newfoundland’s (MUN) Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC). For the past five years, MUN has produced juvenile lumpfish in commercial quantities to meet local industry demand. The technology is proven, and it is now more than timely for the university to transfer this capability to the private sector. This undertaking represents not only the final step in the conversion of university-led research into a viable commercial enterprise but also an environmentally friendly solution for a problem within the aquaculture industry, which also generates economic spin-off. With the addition of the extensive experience available from Marbase’s Norwegian partners, the project will in fact represent a considerable improvement in environmental protection measures within the local aquaculture industry over current practices for sea lice. Construction of the proposed facility is planned to commence upon receipt of all necessary permits and approvals. The current schedule is for site work to commence in late 2020 with completion by Spring 2021. Marbase will refurbish a large existing building at the Marbase Aquaculture Service Hub to serve as a hatchery containing over 300 fish tanks of varying sizes. Since it is an existing, fully serviced industrial-zoned site, a modest construction program will be required for the hatchery. The only project feature that will extend beyond the boundary of the Marbase property is the flowthrough saltwater supply system. Field sampling has confirmed the i suitability of Mortier Bay water for use in the hatchery. Inside the hatchery building, key process machinery will be installed, including filtration and ultraviolet disinfection of both inflow and discharge water. This level of treatment is highly effective and will exceed both industry practice and regulatory requirements. At full production, the proposed hatchery will be capable of producing 3.0 million lumpfish from egg incubation through to market size (25g) annually. This compares with the current production of 2.0 million fish at MUN’s OSC. While the hatchery will form a very important link to the finfish aquaculture service sector, this production level should be placed into context. The total output will amount to 75 tonnes of lumpfish annually. This scale of operation is also reflected in the wastes produced. The largest waste is the material filtered from both the inflow and discharge water. The resulting “sludge” amounts to a modest eight tonnes per month directed for disposal or recycling. The EPR examines specific project alternatives including site selection, hatchery water supply system, cleanerfish species selection, and the processes for water treatment and disinfection. The information on these alternatives demonstrates that the selected project is technically and environmentally the preferred choice in all respects. The identified issues of concern have been addressed in the order laid out in the EPR Guidelines. The scope of the project for the purposes of examining environmental effects reflects its status as an evolutionary step, rather than a new undertaking. The scale of the undertaking also needs to be appreciated. The quantity of product is minor, especially in comparison to finfish production. The potential negative effects are small in scale, and all can be addressed through existing regulatory mechanisms. The potential positive effects are impressive, especially for the finfish aquaculture industry. Employment and business activity will contribute significantly to the Town of Marystown and surrounding areas in terms of construction, operation, training, employment, and spin-off economic activity through the continued operation of the facility. Applications for permits and approvals as identified in the EPR will be made in a timely manner to address regulatory requirements related to aquaculture operations, water quality, aquatic habitat protection, waste management (handling, treatment, recycling, and disposal), ii employment equity, navigable waters usage, water extraction and allocation, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness. This EPR is also fully compliant with the Guidelines’ requirements for Public Information, a challenge given the realities of COVID-19 precautions. The public information program delivered by Marbase represents an improvement over the conventional requirements. Through social media, a large province-wide audience was reached and given access to information on the undertaking. The use of conferencing software enabled active participation in the public session by “attendees” from across the province. No person had to travel to participate, and the turnout was quite good. During the Public Information Session, Marbase staff responded to all the issues raised and the questions asked and did so well within the time allotted. The EPR is supported by appended material to address the identified issues in a high level of detail that will adequately address any identified environmental concerns. It is notable that at all steps in the consultation process the majority and, in some cases, the vast majority of comments were very much in favor of the project acknowledging that this undertaking represents an environmentally responsible venture. The challenge now for the Minister and for Government is to make timely decisions that reflect the environmentally responsible approach that Marbase Cleanerfish Ltd. has presented in pursuing development opportunities for rural Newfoundland and Labrador. iii Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Name of the Undertaking .......................................................................................................... 3 2.0 Proponent.................................................................................................................................. 3 3.0 The Undertaking ....................................................................................................................... 5 3.1 Lumpfish as Cleanerfish ....................................................................................................... 6 4.0 Description of the Undertaking ............................................................................................... 13 4.1 Geographical Location/Physical Components/Existing Environment ................................ 14 4.1.1 Saltwater Intake and Discharge ................................................................................... 18 4.1.2 Mortier Bay Biota .......................................................................................................... 20 4.1.3 Land Ownership and Zoning ........................................................................................ 25 4.2 Construction ........................................................................................................................ 27 4.2.1 Site Preparation ............................................................................................................ 27 4.2.2 Building Refurbishment ................................................................................................ 28 4.2.3 Hatchery Installation ..................................................................................................... 29 4.2.4 Saltwater Supply........................................................................................................... 29 4.2.5 Environmental Protection During Construction ............................................................ 30 4.3 Operation and Maintenance................................................................................................ 31 4.3.1 Hatchery Operations Flow Through ............................................................................. 32 4.3.2 Water Quantity.............................................................................................................. 39 4.3.3 Source Water Quality ................................................................................................... 40 4.3.4 Water Temperature Control ......................................................................................... 43 4.3.5 Water Quality Management ........................................................................................