Aquatic Flora & Fauna:
The direct impacts to aquatic flora and fauna generally relate to the disturbance of wetland areas during the construction phase of development.
Further potential impacts are related to changes to stream hydrology caused by the pumping or discharge of water or the construction of barriers to flow such as dams or other structures and the subsequent alienation of wetland areas or changes to stream morphology.
Such changes have the potential to impact on migratory species and nursery areas for juvenile fish.
Further potential impacts exist through changes to genetic integrity through the depletion of broodstock in a waterway or the restocking of large numbers of individuals from restricted gene pools.
Resulting in reduced genetic diversity within natural fish populations. Potential impacts may also be attributed to the release or escape of non-endemic species which have the potential to introduce pathogens and parasites, prey on or compete with endemic fish.
Aquatic flora and fauna are potentially affected by the disturbance of acid sulphate soils during construction of finfish aquaculture facilities and the subsequent entrance to the ecosystem of acidic compounds.
Terrestrial Flora & Fauna:
Terrestrial fauna and flora may be directly affected by clearing of vegetation and native habitats associated with the construction and subsequent operation of finfish aquaculture facilities. The clearing of native terrestrial flora has the potential to significantly impact on the biodiversity of a region, specifically in relation to the removal of habitats occupied by threatened or endangered species. The removal of coastal wetlands has the potential to impact on migratory birds which may be specifically protected under international conventions.
The disturbance or removal of riparian vegetation has the potential to affect stream hydrology and increase erosion of stream banks. Finfish aquaculture requires the storage of artificial feeds which has the potential to attract pest species. The construction of open expanses of water and the culture of finfish has the potential to provide a food source for predatory bird species.
Hydrology:
The intake and discharge of water for a finfish farm has the potential to impact on creeks through an increase in stream flow and subsequently the volume of water carried within an estuary or creek. Construction of dams and barriers within catchments also have the potential to impact on downstream morphology, through siltation and reduced or sporadic stream flows.
Groundwater:
Finfish farm developments have the potential to provide a conduit for nitrates to enter groundwater supplies, leading to a possible degradation of groundwater. The construction of large water reservoirs has the potential to change water tables, subsequently impacting on groundwater quality.
The pumping of large volumes of water from groundwater supplies, particularly in coastal areas, has the potential to reduce water levels and promote salt water intrusion into groundwater reserves.
Odour:
Where finfish farms are constructed near other rural users or have had residential development encroach on previously rural areas, there is the potential for odours to create a nuisance.
Impacts are likely to result principally from the disturbance of pond sediment immediately after pond draining. The level of impacts will vary depending on background odours, wind directions, distances to sensitive places and buffers.
Noise:
Where finfish farms are constructed near other rural users or have had residential development encroach on previously rural areas, there is the potential for operational noise to create a nuisance.
Impacts are likely to result principally from aeration devices, pump operation and feeding operations. The level of impact will depend on background noise levels, the type of noise, distances to sensitive places and buffers.
Chemicals:
The use of unlabelled or inappropriately labelled chemicals, lacking adequate advice on correct use, dosage, withholding periods and residue levels may result in:
- Reduced efficiency and safety of the treatment for target species;
- Chemical residues within finfish;
- Reduced safety to consumers of food from treated species;
- Reduced safety to operators;
- Market refusal to accept products;
- Production of chemical resistant strains of pathogens;
- Adverse environmental impacts to flora and fauna.
Information Prepared By :
Dallas J Donovan
Information Sourced From:
