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sample median calculated. However, because the gradient sites may be inferred to be in the MEPA and/or the HEPA (see discussion above), assessment against the EQG will be undertaken as follows: � Where sea-cages are positioned greater than 200 m from the western MEPA/HEPA boundary (such that all sites are positioned in the MEPA, irrespective of current direction), the median shall be calculated from pooled values obtained across individual sites (0 m-200 m) (n=5) and compared against the EQG for moderate protection. � Where sea-cages are positioned less than (or equal to) 200 m from the western MEPA/HEPA boundary (meaning some or all of the sites are inferred to be in the HEPA), medians shall be calculated separately e.g. MEPA - 0 m, 10 m and 50 m (n=3) and HEPA - 100 m and 200 m (n=2). MEPA and HEPA site medians shall be compared with the EQG for moderate and high protection, respectively. � Where sites are inferred to be in the MEPA and the HEPA, as in the above example, medians should not be calculated if the number of sites is less than n=3 (as a minimum of three samples is required to derive a meaningful estimate). In this case, additional samples shall be obtained such that the number of measurements is at least n=3 (see also footnote #15). EQG, encompassing the 70th, 80th and 95th percentiles shall be calculated after each sampling occasion from n=8 Reference Sites. In the event the EQG is exceeded, spare samples collected on the same day as the original samples will be analysed. If the EQG is still exceeded following reanalysis, then monitoring shall be undertaken against the relevant EQS as soon as reasonably practicable. After completion of the four month sampling period At the completion of the four month sampling period, TKN, TP, TOC and redox discontinuity values obtained at each of the HEPA and MaxEPA sites over the four sampling occasions will be pooled and the sample medians calculated. For example, the median for high protection site 1 (H1) will be calculated by pooling data obtained on sampling occasion 1, sampling occasion 2, sampling occasion 3 and sampling occasion 4. Similarly, at the completion of each sampling occasion, TSS and LAC values obtained at gradient sites will also be pooled and the sample median calculated: Where sea-cages are located greater than 200 m from the western MEPA/HEPA boundary (such that all sites are positioned in the MEPA, irrespective of current direction), medians will be calculated by pooling data obtained on occasions 1, 2, 3 and 4, and compared against the EQG for moderate protection. However, where sea-cages are located less than (or equal to) 200 m from the western MEPA/HEPA boundary (meaning some or all of the sites are inferred to be in the HEPA), the EQG will be assessed differently depending on the inferred position of the sites. For example, if a site falls outside the MEPA, then the EQG for high protection will be used, and if the site falls within the MEPA, then the EQG for moderate protection will be used. This approach is summarised in Figure 5.1. Medians will be compared to the EQG calculated from pooled Reference Site data (n=4x8=32) obtained over the four month sampling period. In the event the EQG for TSS is exceeded, spare samples collected on the same day as the original samples will be analysed. If the EQG is still exceeded following reanalyses, then monitoring shall be undertaken against the relevant EQS as soon as reasonably practicable. 5.2 Assessing the EQS 5.2.1 Infauna species richness Upon exceedance of an EQG, MPA will undertake sediment infauna sampling as soon as reasonably practicable. If the exceedance relates to the EQG for moderate protection, sampling will be conducted beneath the sea-cages. If the exceedance relates to the EQG for high/maximum protection, sampling will be undertaken at the high/maximum protection water quality sites (in this case, sampling will be conducted at sites with the highest contaminant concentrations). 40 Oceanica: Marine Produce Australia: Cone Bay Barramundi Aquaculture, Environmental Monitoring & Management Plan
To calculate the Inverse Simpson Index, the species richness of impact sites will be compared to the sediment quality Reference Sites. The Inverse Simpson Index is ideally suited as an EQS, as its sensitivity can be configured for either minor or moderate level impacts. 5.2.2 Assessment of imagery Visual assessment of sediment condition beneath sea-cages is a rapid and simple method for quantifying unacceptable levels of change. For example, sea-cages in Tasmania are fallowed as soon as practicable following observation of hydrogen sulphide bubbles (Crawford 2003). However, such indicators are generally representative of moderate to severe levels of change (Crawford 2003), and are not suitable for application outside the MEPA. Upon exceedance of an EQG, MPA will undertake photographic surveys as soon as reasonably practicable. If the exceedance relates to the EQG for moderate protection, surveys will be conducted beneath the sea-cages. Images will be recorded and saved to a hard drive. The images will then be assessed qualitatively to determine whether there have been changes in key indicators. For the moderate protection area, these include: white bacterial mats, MPBs, black sediments, bubbles of hydrogen sulphide, mass mortality of benthic macrofauna, or a significant reduction in the presence of animal tracks and/or bioturbator burrows, relative to reference sites. If the exceedance relates to the EQG for high/maximum protection, photographic surveys will be undertaken as follows: at coral sites on an exceedance of the EQG for TSS, LAC and phytoplankton biomass. Photographic images will be analysed qualitatively for the presence of coral mucous, and/or a reduction in coral pigmentation. 5.2.3 LAC and TSS (LOI) As per the multiple lines of evidence approach outlined in EPA (2005), EQS have been developed for TSS (LOI), and LAC. The intent is to use these indicators in conjunction with the indicators of coral health. Upon an exceedance of the EQG for TSS (LOI), LAC or phytoplankton biomass, sampling at each of the coral monitoring sites will commence as soon as reasonably practicable. The intent is to establish whether measures of TSS and/or LAC at the coral impact sites are beyond the range recorded naturally, as determined by ANOVA. Sampling will continue at the impact and reference sites two times per week over an eight week period, resulting in a sample size of n=16. Sampling will be timed to coincide with outgoing tides when coral impact sites are more likely to receive inputs from the sea-cages. 5.3 Monitoring-management feedback loop The order of events following an exceedance of either the EQG or EQS for water and sediment quality is provided in Figure 5.2 and Figure 5.3, respectively. Oceanica: Marine Produce Australia: Cone Bay Barramundi Aquaculture, Environmental Monitoring & Management Plan 41
Page 1: Marine Produce Australia: Cone Bay
Page 5 and 6: Client: Marine Produce Australia Re
Page 7 and 8: Contents 1.� Purpose of this docu
Page 9: List of Figures Figure 1.1� Locat
Page 12 and 13: Table 1.1 Environmental Values and
Page 14 and 15: In addition to the Conditions and C
Page 17: Note: The habitats shown above are
Page 20 and 21: 2.3.1 Site selection Aquaculture ca
Page 22 and 23: 3. Environmental Objectives 3.1 Bes
Page 24 and 25: 4. Marine Monitoring Program Fish-f
Page 26 and 27: the bottom of the water column. Sta
Page 28 and 29: Table 4.2 EQG for water quality EQG
Page 30 and 31: Table 4.3 EQS for water quality EQS
Page 32 and 33: 4.2 Sediment quality monitoring 4.2
Page 34 and 35: Table 4.5 EQG for sediments EQG Ind
Page 36 and 37: 4.3 Coral reef monitoring 4.3.1 Obj
Page 38 and 39: Indicator Light attenuation Chlorop
Page 40 and 41: 4.4 Sediment infauna monitoring 4.4
Page 42 and 43: Indicator Zone of Ecological Protec
Page 44 and 45: 4.5 Biota monitoring and management
Page 46 and 47: 5. Marine Environmental Management
Page 48 and 49: Monitor Are�any�sea-cages�wit
Page 52 and 53: EQG�(i)�or�(ii)� exceeded T
Page 54 and 55: 5.4.2 Movement of stock Movement or
Page 56 and 57: 7. Stakeholder Consultation 7.1 Det
Page 58 and 59: 8. Additional information Additiona
Page 60 and 61: � Administer all prescribed medic
Page 62 and 63: Category Issue Consequence Likeliho
Page 65 and 66: 9. Acknowledgements This EMMP was p
Page 67 and 68: EPA (2008) Report and recommendatio
Page 69: Appendix A Ministerial Statement 79
Page 72 and 73: 2 Proponent Nomination and Contact
Page 74 and 75: 2. Within the zone of High Ecologic
Page 76 and 77: The Proposal (Assessment No. 1642)
Page 78 and 79: Figure 1: Zones of ecological prote
Page 81: Appendix B Method Statement: Geo-re
Page 84 and 85: Report No. OCEMPA001 Rev A Revision
Page 86 and 87: 1. Introduction Geo Oceans was comm
Page 88 and 89: efore smoothly decreasing to zero a
Page 90 and 91: Table 3 Data fields captured in the
Page 92 and 93: 3. Results A total of 27332 rows of
Page 94 and 95: Figure 3 Hard coral percent cover d
Page 96 and 97: Appendix 2: Video analysis substrat
Page 99: Proposed Seagrass, water quality an
Page 105:
Appendix E Responses to comments re
Page 108 and 109:
Version Author Authority Comment MP
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