20/01/2014 Licence Application for Sustainable hand- harvesting of Ascophyllum nodosum at Clew Bay (SAC Site Code 1482). In accordance with National Parks & Wildlife Service conservation objectives for marine and coastal habitats and species (2011) and EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. Prepared by: BioAtlantis Ltd. Date of submission: 20/01/2014 BioAtlantis Ltd, Kerry Technology Park, Tralee, Co. Kerry Page 1 of 99 17/01/2014 Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................... 6 Section 1: Description of Plan/Project, and local site or plan area characteristics .................... 9 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................... 10 1.1.1 Purpose of the Plan ............................................................................................ 10 1.1.2 Reasons for locating to Clew Bay ...................................................................... 12 1.1.3 Status: Stand-alone plan Vs. larger program of development ........................... 13 1.1.4 Local Investment ................................................................................................ 14 1.2 Investigation / Development Phase ........................................................................... 15 1.2.1 Size of the area to be directly impacted in this phase. ....................................... 15 1.2.2 Different types of operations/activities associated with the investigation / development phase. .......................................................................................................... 15 1.2.3 Locations & Months in which operations/activities will take place. ................. 21 1.3 Operational Phase ...................................................................................................... 22 1.3.1 Operational Phase: Size of the area to be directly impacted ............................. 22 1.3.2 Operational Phase: Different types of operations/activities............................... 26 1.3.3 Locations in which operations/activities will take place. ................................. 36 1.4. Description of receiving environment ....................................................................... 44 Section 2: Clew Bay SAC (Site Code 1482): Qualifying interest and conservation objectives (prepared by BioAtlantis Ltd.) ................................................................................................. 46 2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 47 2.2 Conservation objectives: Protected Marine habitats and species. ............................. 48 2.3 Conservation objectives: Protected Coastal habitats. ................................................ 51 2.4 Conservation objectives: Otters and Birds. ............................................................... 53 2.5 Species & habitats of General Interest ...................................................................... 55 2.6 A. nodosum Biotope and species therein .................................................................. 56 Section 3: Assessment of likely effects of the proposed plan (prepared by BioAtlantis Ltd.) 58 3.1 Identification of likely effects of proposed plan or project: ...................................... 59 3.1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 59 3.1.2 Data sources: ........................................................................................................... 59 3.1.3 Preliminary consideration of the likely impacts of a proposed activity: ................ 61 3.2. Risk Assessment (Scope & Methodology) ................................................................... 62 3.2.1. Scope of the Assessment:....................................................................................... 62 3.2.2. Methodology employed: ........................................................................................ 62 3.3. Results of Risk Assessment (Direct and indirect impacts): .......................................... 63 Page 2 of 99 20/01/2014 3.3.1 Impact on protected marine habitats and species. ................................................... 65 3.3.2 Impact on protected coastal habitats. ...................................................................... 71 3.3.3 Impact on Otters and Birds. .................................................................................... 73 3.3.4 Impact on general species & habitats...................................................................... 74 3.3.5 Impact on the Ascophyllum nodosum biotope and species therein ......................... 77 3.3.6 Results of screening assessment & associated control measures, monitoring and corrective actions. ............................................................................................................ 84 3.4 Cumulative and in Combination Impacts ...................................................................... 92 Current A. nodosum harvest activities in Clew Bay. ....................................................... 92 Fishery-related activities in proximity to harbour seal haul out sites .............................. 93 3.5. Conclusions of Risk Assessment .................................................................................. 94 Section 4: Concluding remarks. ............................................................................................... 95 Section 5: Bibliography ........................................................................................................... 96 Table 1: Projected economic impact of A. nodosum harvesting by BioAtlantis on the Clew Bay area ................................................................................................................................... 13 Table 2 : Summary of operations/activities undertaken during developmental phase (May- Dec 2013). ................................................................................................................................ 21 Table 3 Areas & quantities to be harvested ............................................................................. 25 Table 4 : Planning of Harvest Activities .................................................................................. 27 Table 5 : Sample Harvesting Plan ............................................................................................ 28 Table 6 : Yields of A. nodosum in five regions of the North Atlantic ..................................... 37 Table 7 : Available harvest of A. nodosum in designated zones of Clew Bay ........................ 38 Table 8 : Sustainable harvest of A. nodosum in designated zones of Clew Bay ...................... 38 Table 9 : Months in which Islands are unavailable for Harvest due to presence of sensitive species. ..................................................................................................................................... 43 Table 10 : Summary of Results of Risk Assessment ............................................................... 63 Table 11 : Impact on protected marine habitats and species and coastal habitats in Clew Bay .................................................................................................................................................. 84 Table 12 : Impact on general species & habitats of Clew Bay ................................................ 89 Table 13 : Impact on the Ascophyllum nodosum Biotope and species therein ....................... 90 Table 14 : General distribution of designated Mollusc Production areas in Clew Bay (adapted from The Status of Irish Aquaculture report, Browne et al ., 2006). ........................................ 93 Table 15 : Classified Mollusc Production Areas 2013 (adapted from Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, 2013) ....................................................................................................................... 93 Figure 1 : Resource Management Team .................................................................................. 18 Figure 2: Harvesting Flow Chart ............................................................................................. 29 Page 3 of 99 20/01/2014 Appendices Appendix 1 Assessment of A. nodosum resources & associated biodiversity in Clew Bay SAC Appendix 2 Maps of Harvest Area Appendix 3: Compliance and Record Forms Appendix 4: Codes of Practice for A. nodosum harvest activities in Clew Bay SAC. Appendix 5: Impact Assessment of A. nodosum harvesting activities on Clew Bay SAC. Appendix 6: Supplementary Assessment of Bird species in Clew Bay, as recommended by NPWS on 13/11/2013. Page 4 of 99 20/01/2014 Abbreviations: A. nodosum Ascophyllum nodosum ASM Atlantic salt meadows ANOVA Analysis of variance B Biological hazard C Chemical hazard Cert. Certificate cSAC Candidate Special Area of Conservation Dir. Directive DOEHLG Dept. of the Environment Heritage and Local Government E East e.g. Example FP7 EU’s Seventh Framework Programme GMP+ Good Manufacturing Practices GRN Goods Received Note HWM High water mark IFI Inland Fisheries Ireland IRF Incident Report Form Isd Island I-WeBS The Irish Wetland Bird Survey kg Kilograms m2 Meters squared Mm Millimetres MSO Marine Survey Office N North NCR Non-Conformance Report Form No. Number NIS Natura Impact Statement NPWS