Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
7473
Company Name
Cahora Bassa Fisheries (CBF)
Date ESRS Disclosed
Feb 5, 2010
Country
Mozambique
Region
Africa
Last Updated Date
Dec 31, 2016
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Status
Completed
Previous Events
Approved : May 23, 1996
Signed : Jun 28, 1996
Invested : Sep 10, 1997
Sector
Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
Industry
Agribusiness and Forestry
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Africa
Project Description
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW SUMMARY
Project Name Mozambique-Cahora Bassa Fisheries
Region Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector Agribusiness
Project No. 007473
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1. The Cahora Bassa Fisheries (CBF) project, which is to be financed through the Africa Enterprise Fund (AEF), involves the expansion of CBF''s kapenta fishing fleet from five to ten rigs, and to expand the firms facilities to enable it to process the additional catch. IFC financing is being sought as part of the expansion effort. Based on sustainability studies conducted for the AEF Bonar Kapenta fishing project on Lake Cahora Bassa, total kapenta rig numbers which currently stand at 55 should not exceed 115.
2. This is a Category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines, or design criteria. The key environmental health and safety issues that were analyzed are as follows:
• sustainable fishing;
• liquid and solid waste disposal;
• plant hygiene and housekeeping;
• provision of personal protective equipment;
• emergency preparedness and employee training; and
• fleet maintenance.
IFC has reviewed both the Government of Mozambique''s Evaluation of the Environmental Impacts of Cahora Bassa Fisheries, as well as the Environmental Management Plan provided by CBF. Information provided in these documents, as regards the key issued listed above, are described below.
3. Sustainable fishing. Government of Mozambique regulations fix the total number of entrants in the kapenta fishing industry, and restricts fishing to permit holders only. CBF has stated its commitment to operating within the Government''s permit and licensing requirements. In addition, CBF submits a monthly catch analysis to the Government, in the specified format, and abide by inshore breeding areas guidelines not to fish in areas less than 20 meters in depth.
4. Liquid and solid waste disposal. Because kapenta are dried whole, there is very little solid or liquid waste produced and, with the exception of salt, no chemicals used in the process. Salt is stored in bags in dry sheds to avoid runoff to soils or ground water. Fish that fall from drying racks are collected and either consumed locally or disposed of in a compost pit. Any rotten fish resulting from improper drying or wet weather, as well as all kitchen wastes, also are disposed in compost pits. Toilets facilities or latrines are provided both at all on-shore facilities as well as on all rigs. Sewage is collected in pit latrines equipped with soak-aways. Storm water runoff is contained by storm drains, which helps to prevent erosion. Storm water from drying racks, which is likely to contain high levels of salt, is collected in drainage ditches surrounding the racks so as not to affect the salinity of surrounding soils or ground water. All waste oils and grease from vehicle and engine maintenance are collected in large vats and recycled, reused to treat timber used for building or fencing, or disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
5. Plant hygiene and housekeeping. CBF provides staff ablution facilities to ensure that no bathing or washing is done along the shore of the lake. Chlorinated and filtered water will be piped on-site for use as drinking water and other domestic purposes. First-aid kits are kept on site and on all rigs, and malaria prophylactics are supplied to workers as necessary. CBF employs several routine measures to ensure product hygiene, including washing down and cleaning all rigs on a daily basis to remove all residual fish; routinely cleaning all rack areas to avoid the build-up of decaying organic material; and utilizing fly-traps wherever possible to ensure against product contamination.
6. Provision of personal protective equipment. CBF has taken a number of actions to provide a safe workplace environment for its employees. All engines, mechanical winches and generators are fitted with safety features and guards to cover all moving parts. Electrical equipment is grounded according to manufacturers'' specifications. Rigs are equipped with safety rails along the edges; rough cut, non-skid wooden flooring; and anchors for stopping at sea, if necessary. All full-time employees are provided with overalls; those staff carrying fist containers are provided with raincoats to prevent salt damage to clothing. Workshop staff are provided with protective goggles, and welders are supplied with protective face masks and gloves.
7. Emergency preparedness and employee training. To prevent contamination to soils and ground water in the event of an accident or spill, CBF''s fuels and oils are presently stored at its supplier''s facilities which are fenced and equipped with an impervious concrete secondary containment structure. As part of the proposed expansion, CBF will construct fuel storage depots on its own property. All of these depots will be designed and maintained by CBF''s fuel supplier and will include adequate second containment structures. All workshops, fuel depots, vehicles, boats, and rigs are provided with appropriate fire extinguishers, and these are inspected and maintained regularly. All of CBF''s rigs are built to meet all relevant Government regulations and standards, and must pass a Government inspection before they can be licensed to operate. Rigs are equipped with life jackets, life raft, ship-to-shore radio, and signal flares. Demonstrated ability to swim is a condition of employment for all those working on rigs. All rigs are staffed with a fully-trained "second in command" in the event that the captain is injured and unable to pilot the vessel. All rigs are motorized and regularly maintained to minimize the probability of a breakdown at sea.
8. All of CBF''s staff are trained and drilled in emergency procedures, fire prevention and response, and basic first aid. Staff handling fuels are given training in fuel handling and hazards, as well as fire fighting methods specific to fires involving fuels. All captains and crew members are trained in emergency response procedures relevant to ships, including life-saving techniques.
9. Fleet maintenance. CBF requires that regular routine maintenance be conducted on all of its rigs by a qualified in-house mechanic, in an effort to minimize time lost due to rig malfunctioning, as well as to reduce the probability of accidents. As part of this effort, essential parts are kept in stock on CBF''s premises.
10. In addition, CBF has committed to purchasing air conditioning and cold storage equipment that does not contain CFCs. During construction, CBF management will require that all clearing be done in such a way to preserve large trees, both to provide shade and to protect against erosion. In the same vein, the harbor area will be walled with a concrete jetty to protect against wave erosion. CBF policies to prevent deforestation in and around its facilities include allowing only the cutting of dead trees along the shore line for wood fuel for staff use, and for rack construction. The firm plans eventually to provide a staff canteen with electricity or paraffin stoves for staff cooking purposes, as well as to introduce the use of metal drying racks. The Government of Mozambique cited concern about excessive noise from facility operations. CBF have indicated that all of their equipment (i.e, boat engines, generators, and vehicles) are equipped with silencers in accordance with manufacturers'' specifications.
11. Based on its review of CBF''s Environmental, Health and Safety Management Plan, IFC concludes that the proposed project is being designed and will be operated to meet Government of Mozambique requirements, as well as all relevant World Bank policies and environmental, health and safety guidelines. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.
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March 12, 1996 12:45 PM
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
Broad Community Support
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