Ecological impact studies in the marine environment

Ecological impact studies in the marine environment

  OLRAC has conducted two studies on the environmental impact of marine diamond mining along the South African west coast and along the Namibian coastline.

  South Africa:  The first of these was a field study on the South African west coast aimed at quantifying the overall ecological impact of diver operated suction devices which remove diamond rich concentrate in the intertidal and subtidal habitat. The study focussed on the conflict between the mining industry and the rock lobster industry, since this is the most important area of conflict, and since the rock lobster Jasus lalandii is a keystone species in the nearshore benthic ecosystem. In addition to the basic survey component of the study, which involved intensive SCUBA diving scientific surveys to compare the biota at mined and unmined sites, a series of field experiments were conducted to examine some of the claims made by lobster fishermen against diamond mining. One of these, for example, was the claim that the suction hoses are capable of sucking lobsters into the pipes and destroying them.

  OLRAC's final recommendations were designed to reduce the level of conflict between the two industries, and to minimise the ecological impact of nearshore mining operations. OLRAC's unique experience and expertise in fisheries management made it possible to bridge the gulf between the two industries and seek out ways to promote their mutually beneficial coexistence.

  Namibia:  A further study by OLRAC was centred in Luderitz on the southern Namibian coastline. This study was similar to the South African study but omitted the field work component of that study and enlarged on conflict resolution between the two industries.

  OLRAC's interests and expertise in marine environmental impact assessment continue to be maintained. A joint venture, Marine Resource Environmental Management (MAREM) was recently launched between OLRAC (fisheries and biological expertise), Marine & Coastal Geo-Consultants (mining and geological expertise) and Sue Lane & Associates (social and economic expertise), to promote this growing field.