PROJECT SYNOPSIS Name of the Project: Development of Sea Cucumber Facility at L. Gan Project Proponent: S.S Farming Private Limited Project Value: Approximately MVR 8 Million Expected Duration: 12 months EIA Consultant: Ahmed Saleem EIA Date: February 2017 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CONVERSIONS 1 metric tonne = 2,204 pounds (lbs.) 1 kilogramme (kg) =2.2 lbs. 1 metre (m) = 3.28 feet (ft.) 1 millimetre (mm) = 0.03937 inches (”) 1 kilometre (km) = 0.62 mile 1 hectare (ha) = 2.471 acres LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CO2-e Carbon dioxide equivalent DA Decentralisation Act DDRPM Development of Disaster Risk Management Profile Maldives DIRAM Detailed Island Risk Assessment in Maldives DNP Department of National Planning DO Dissolved Oxygen EIA Environment Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Monitoring Plan EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPPA Environmental Protection and Preservation Act ES Environmental Score GHG Green House Gas GoM Government of Maldives HIES household income and expenditure survey Hs Peak Height MAS Marine Analysis Station MCA Multi Criteria Analysis MEE Ministry of Environment and Energy MEE Ministry of Environment and Energy MHI Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure MMS Maldives Meteorological Service MOFA Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture MPA Marine Protected Area MSL Mean Sea Level NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan MNSSD Maldives National Strategy for Sustainable Development NAPA National Adaptation Programme of Action MCCPF Maldives Climate Change Policy Framework NEAP3 National Environmental Action Plan SNAP Strategic National Action Plan MEECO | i EIA for Coastal Protection at Gn. Fuvahmulah, Maldives CBD Convention on Biodiversity MCCPF Maldives Climate Change Policy Framework CRFVC Coral Reef Fish Visual Census MEECO | ii EIA for Proposed Sea Cucumber Facility in Gan, Laamu Atoll TABLE OF CONTENTS PROJECT SYNOPSIS ................................................................................................................................ i WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CONVERSIONS ..................................................................................... i LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................................... i TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................. viii LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................... x DECLARATION OF THE CONSULTANT AND PROPONENT ...................................................... xii ާާސާލުޚާާާދާސ .................................................................................................................................................... xiii NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... xvii 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 Project background ....................................................................................................................... 1 Interpretation of Specific terminology used in the report ............................................................. 1 The purpose of the EIA ................................................................................................................. 2 The EIA Implementation Process ................................................................................................. 3 EIA Approach & Methodology..................................................................................................... 4 EIA Approach ....................................................................................................................... 4 Scoping and Terms of Reference .......................................................................................... 4 EIA Methodology ................................................................................................................. 5 Impact Mitigation .................................................................................................................. 8 Gaps in Baseline Information ............................................................................................... 8 Gaps in Understanding Impacts ............................................................................................ 9 Review of Similar Reports .................................................................................................... 9 The EIA Team ............................................................................................................................. 10 Project setting .............................................................................................................................. 11 Project justification ..................................................................................................................... 12 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ............................................................................................. 15 Project Proponent ........................................................................................................................ 15 Project Overview ........................................................................................................................ 15 Project Location & Site ............................................................................................................... 15 Project Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 17 Main Features Of The Project ..................................................................................................... 18 Species Cultured ......................................................................................................................... 19 Physical Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 21 Biology ................................................................................................................................ 21 Geographic Range, Habitat & Ecology ............................................................................... 21 Growth, Feeding And Habitat Preference ........................................................................... 22 Sex, Reproduction And Maturity ........................................................................................ 22 Overall Aquaculture Process ....................................................................................................... 24 Hatchery FACILITY Design Components And Processes ......................................................... 27 Broodstock Unit .................................................................................................................. 29 Egg Incubation And Larval Rearing Unit ........................................................................... 30 Larval Rearing..................................................................................................................... 32 Live Feed Culture Unit ....................................................................................................... 32 Air Supply ........................................................................................................................... 33 Feed For Juveniles .............................................................................................................. 33 Chemical Use ...................................................................................................................... 33 Water Intake And Discharge ............................................................................................... 34 MEECO | iii EIA for Sea Cucumber Culture in L Gan, Maldives Seawater Management ........................................................................................................ 36 Wastewater Treatment And Discharge ............................................................................... 37 Sea Outfall .......................................................................................................................... 39 Stocking Density And Method ............................................................................................ 41 Grow Out Areas .................................................................................................................. 41 Harvesting And Handling ................................................................................................... 43 Final Processing .................................................................................................................. 43 Product Storage Unit ........................................................................................................... 44 Freshwater Use ............................................................................................................................ 44 Power Generation .......................................................................................................................