Appropriate Assessment of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 1 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6 2.0 Screening ..................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Guidance ................................................................................................................................. 8 2.2 Draft National Strategic Plan for sustainable Aquaculture ..................................................... 9 2.2.1 Outline of the draft NSPA ...................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Links to other national plans and programmes ................................................................... 13 2.2.3 Geographical scope .............................................................................................................. 16 2.2.4 Objectives of the draft NSPA................................................................................................ 23 2.2.5 Position of the NSPA in the aquaculture planning hierarchy............................................... 28 2.3 Scope of the Appropriate Assessment .................................................................................. 29 2.4 Identification of Natura 2000 sites ....................................................................................... 30 2.5 Potential cumulative impacts ............................................................................................... 41 2.6 Assessment of likely significant effects ................................................................................. 42 2.7 Screening statement and conclusion .................................................................................... 44 3.0 Appropriate Assessment ........................................................................................................... 45 3.1 Baseline Environment ........................................................................................................... 46 3.2 Conservation Objectives ....................................................................................................... 51 3.3 Overview of potential interactions ....................................................................................... 57 3.3.1 Marine cage culture ............................................................................................................. 58 3.3.2 Shellfish cultures .................................................................................................................. 60 3.3.3 Land based tank systems ..................................................................................................... 64 3.3.4 Freshwater aquaculture ....................................................................................................... 66 3.4 Aspects of the draft NSPA which may interact with site integrity and conservation objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 68 3.5 Potential impacts of aquaculture activities on Natura 2000 sites ........................................ 71 3.6 Overview of licensing process ............................................................................................... 76 3.6.1 Framework Legislation ......................................................................................................... 76 3.6.2 Procedures operated in relation to aquaculture licensing .................................................. 77 3.7 Existing controls and management measures for the prevention of environmental impacts of aquaculture activities ................................................................................................................... 81 3.7.1 Licence application & appeals process ................................................................................ 81 3.7.2 Licence terms & conditions .................................................................................................. 81 3.7.3 Enhanced regulatory monitoring ......................................................................................... 85 3.7.4 Appropriate Assessment at bay scale .................................................................................. 86 2 3.7.5 Benthic monitoring programme .......................................................................................... 87 3.7.6 DAFM Strategy for improved pest control on Irish salmon farms ....................................... 87 3.7.7 DAFM Programme for Implementation of the Dangerous Substances Directive 2006/11/EC in Marine Finfish Aquaculture....................................................................................................... 89 3.7.8 DAFM National Residue Control Plan .................................................................................. 89 3.7.9 DAFM Guidelines for Landscape and visual impact assessment of marine aquaculture .... 90 3.7.10 Fish Health Management Plans ......................................................................................... 91 3.7.11 WFD monitoring ................................................................................................................. 91 3.7.12 MSFD monitoring ............................................................................................................... 92 3.8 Review of current projects and initiatives adopted by the aquaculture sector in Ireland ......... 92 3.8.1 CLAMS (Co-ordinated Aquaculture Management SystemS) ................................................ 92 3.8.2 ECOPACT (Environmental Code of Practice for Irish Aquaculture Companies and Traders) 3.8.3 Origin Green ......................................................................................................................... 95 3.8.4 Marine Stewardship Council ................................................................................................ 96 3.8.5 Aquaculture Stewardship Council ........................................................................................ 97 3.8.6 Food Safety Management System ....................................................................................... 98 3.8.7 Quality Seafood Programme ................................................................................................ 99 3.8.8 Organic Aquaculture ............................................................................................................ 99 3.8.9 BIM ECO-Standard ............................................................................................................. 100 3.8.10 ISGA Code of Practice for the prevention of stock escapes of Irish farmed salmonids ... 100 3.8.11 S.U.M.S. (Special Unified Marking Schemes) ................................................................... 101 3.8.12 Barrel Replacement Scheme ............................................................................................ 101 3.8.13 Marine Invasive Species: Didemnum vexillum and Marine Pathways Project ................ 101 3.8.14 New Zealand system ........................................................................................................ 102 3.8.15 Oyster hatchery ................................................................................................................ 102 3.8.16 Abalone and Sea Urchins ................................................................................................. 102 3.8.17 Mussel Seed Work ........................................................................................................... 103 3.8.18 Perch Culture ................................................................................................................... 103 3.8.19 Deep Sea Project .............................................................................................................. 104 3.8.20 Seaweed ........................................................................................................................... 104 3.9 Impact predictions and mitigation measures – Habitats & Species ................................... 105 3.9.1 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all of the time ................................... 107 3.9.2 Estuaries ............................................................................................................................. 108 3.9.3 Mudflats and Sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide ........................................... 109 3 3.9.4 Coastal lagoons .................................................................................................................. 111 3.9.5 Large shallow inlets and bays ............................................................................................ 112 3.9.6 Reefs ................................................................................................................................... 113 3.9.7 Annual vegetation of drift lines ......................................................................................... 115 3.9.8 Perennial vegetation of stony banks .................................................................................. 116 3.9.9 Salicornia and other annual colonizing mud and sand ...................................................... 118 3.9.10