Biodiversity Inclusive Environmental Impact Assessment (B-EIA) & Participatory Social Impact Assessment (p-SIA) Belize Aquaculture Ltd, Blair Athol, Stann Creek District Belize Meerman, Arevalo & Boomsma, November 2014 Belize Aquaculture Ltd. B-EAI & p-SIA. November 2014 Page 1 Contents 1 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 6 1.1. Resumen Ejecutivo ............................................................................................................................. 7 2 Introduction to the Biodiversity-inclusive Environmental Impact Assessment .................................... 9 3 Introduction to the participatory Social Impact Assessment ............................................................... 9 4 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 10 5 Description of the BAL Shrimp Farm ................................................................................................... 14 6 B-EIA components ............................................................................................................................... 17 6.1. Siting in Protected Areas .................................................................................................................. 17 6.2. Siting in Mangrove Ecosystems........................................................................................................ 18 6.3. Siting in Critical Habitats .................................................................................................................. 21 6.4. Endangered species ......................................................................................................................... 24 6.4.1. Actions....................................................................................................................................... 26 6.5. Biological Corridors .......................................................................................................................... 26 6.5.1. Actions....................................................................................................................................... 30 6.6. Salt Water Intrusion ......................................................................................................................... 31 6.6.1. Actions....................................................................................................................................... 34 6.7. Predator Control .............................................................................................................................. 35 6.7.1. Actions....................................................................................................................................... 38 6.8. Introduction of non-native species .................................................................................................. 40 6.8.1. Flood Risk as a result of hurricanes........................................................................................... 40 6.8.2. Regular flooding ........................................................................................................................ 42 6.8.3. Escapes via waterways .............................................................................................................. 44 6.8.4. Actions....................................................................................................................................... 44 7 Identification of a Governmental Entity ............................................................................................. 46 8 Identification of a civil society organization ....................................................................................... 46 9 Identification of the BAL Shrimp Farm stakeholders .......................................................................... 46 9.1. Nearby villages: Santa Cruz, Placencia village and Seine Bight ........................................................ 48 9.1.1. Santa Cruz (Stann Creek district) .............................................................................................. 49 9.1.2. Santa Cruz: Positive impacts: .................................................................................................... 50 9.1.3. Santa Cruz: Negative effects: .................................................................................................... 51 Belize Aquaculture Ltd. B-EAI & p-SIA. November 2014 Page 2 9.1.4. Santa Cruz: impactos positivos ................................................................................................. 52 9.1.5. Santa Cruz: impactos negativos: ............................................................................................... 52 9.1.6. Placencia Village and Seine Bight .............................................................................................. 55 9.1.7. Placencia and Seine Bight: Negative effects: ............................................................................ 56 9.2. Neighbouring Land Owners ............................................................................................................. 58 9.3. Users of the same natural resources ............................................................................................... 59 9.4. Non-Governmental Organization: Southern Environmental Association ........................................ 60 9.5. Department of Rural Development ................................................................................................. 60 9.6. National Integrated Water Resources Authority ............................................................................. 60 9.7. Department of Environment ............................................................................................................ 60 9.8. Social Investment Fund .................................................................................................................... 61 10 Deeper research needed on important impacts on the physical, biological and social environment 62 11 Proposed adaptations at farm set-up ............................................................................................. 65 11.1. Maximize positive impacts: ............................................................................................................ 65 11.1.1. Employment: ........................................................................................................................... 65 11.1.2. Contributions to local communities, organizations, private persons: .................................... 65 11.1.3. Website BSGA ......................................................................................................................... 65 11.2. Minimize the negative impacts: ..................................................................................................... 66 11.2.1. Water quality monitoring ....................................................................................................... 66 11.2.2. BAL’s grievance procedure...................................................................................................... 66 11.2.3. Future developments at the BAL farm:................................................................................... 66 11.2.4. Website BSGA ......................................................................................................................... 66 12 Conflict Resolution Policy BAL ........................................................................................................ 67 13 Agree on impacts and measures to address them ......................................................................... 67 14 Conclusions and agreements .......................................................................................................... 68 15 Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... 70 15.1. Appendix 1: Transcript first meeting consultant and management BAL ....................................... 70 15.2. Appendix 2a: Transcript meetings with Santa Cruz Village stakeholders ...................................... 72 15.3. Appendix 2b: Transcript meetings with Placencia Village stakeholders ........................................ 79 15.4. Appendix 2c: Transcript meetings with Seine Bight stakeholders ................................................. 89 15.5. Appendix 3: Consultation neighbouring landowners .................................................................... 97 Belize Aquaculture Ltd. B-EAI & p-SIA. November 2014 Page 3 15.6. Appendix 4: Consultations with the Department of the Environment .......................................... 99 15.7. Appendix 5: Consultation with Ministry of Labour, Local Government, Rural Development, NEMO and Immigration. ....................................................................................................................... 101 15.8. Appendix 6. Consultation with Social Investment Fund .............................................................. 101 15.9. Appendix 7. Consultation with the National Integrated Water Resources Agency. .................... 101 15.10. Appendix 8. Escape Recovery Plan ...........................................................................................