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The Water Framework Directive and the Aquaculture Industry

The Water Framework Directive and the Aquaculture Industry. Claire Vincent Environmental Policy Group Department of the Environment Northern Ireland. Introduction. Outline of Directive Characterisation Classification Frequently asked questions. WFD Approach….

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The Water Framework Directive and the Aquaculture Industry

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  1. The Water Framework Directive and the Aquaculture Industry Claire Vincent Environmental Policy Group Department of the Environment Northern Ireland

  2. Introduction • Outline of Directive • Characterisation • Classification • Frequently asked questions

  3. WFD Approach… • ..most ambitious, most expensive and most significant piece of EU legislation to hit the statute book…(ENDS 2004). • it is a framework to protect the water environment • emphasis is on ecology rather than water quality • Pressure and impact analysis

  4. What is the Purpose of WFD? • Prevent further deterioration • Protect and enhance aquatic ecosystems (including terrestrial and wetlands) • Reduction of priority substances • Phasing out of priority hazardous substances • Protection of territorial and marine waters • 1nmile from baseline for ecological quality • 12nmiles from baseline for chemical quality

  5. To which waters does WFD apply?

  6. River basins districts

  7. Annex II requirements Characterisation Pressures and impacts assessment. Annex V requirement Defining thresholds for status classes (e.g. high, good, moderate biological and chemical status) What is the process? Evaluating risk of failing objectives.

  8. On what timescale? 2004 - Characterisation 2006 - Monitoring Programmes 2009 - River Basin District Plan Good Status 2015

  9. Part 22004 - Characterisation • Annex II • Typology & water bodies • Analysis of Pressures and Impacts • Economic analysis of water use

  10. Typology • Physiological types that are ecologically relevant Ecological quality:- Compare like with like

  11. Water Bodies As Management Units (or Compliance Checking Units) Type B Type A Protected Area (SAC) Low Pressure Significant Pressure Significant Pressure Low Pressure Protected Area (bathing beach) Coastal Water Transitional Water

  12. Coastal WaterTypology - Tidal Range - Salinity - Exposure

  13. Draft water bodies Northern Ireland

  14. What about aquaculture activities in 2004 report? • Annexes II & III • Shellfish waters – protected areas • Salmon farming – marine specific pressure • UK thinking – • Nutrients inputs / trophic status • Organic loading • Dangerous substances • Hydromorphology • Alien Species

  15. Part 3Classification • 2004 Characterisation • Initial classification • At risk or not at risk • 2008 draft river basin management plan • 2009 RBMP

  16. No or only very minor changes to undisturbed conditions GOOD = No more than slight changes to the biology MODERATE = No more than moderate changes Principles of status classification HIGH STATUS REFERENCE CONDITIONS IMPACTED CONDITIONS

  17. What are ecological & chemical status? Good ecological status Good chemical status • EQOs for 18 list I substances under ‘daughter directives’

  18. Elements of ecological status General phys.-chemical parameters Biological quality elements Phys.-chemical parameters Other chemical pollutants Priority substances Hydromorphological quality elements

  19. Fish Benthic invertebrate fauna Angiosperms Macroalgae Phytoplankton 10. What are the elements of ecological status? Biological quality elements Phys.-chemical parameters Hydromorphological quality elements

  20. Ecological status - Are biology and chemistry equally weighted?

  21. For “good status”…. Good chemical status Priority hazardous subs EQSs set at Community level Good ecological status Biology Physico-chemical hydromorphological &

  22. Part 4 Frequently Asked Questions

  23. Do the same objectives apply in all areas? • Conservation Areas (SACs SPAs etc) • Shellfish and Bathing Water sites • Waters for abstraction for drinking water Good/High status +

  24. Designated Shellfish Water Good ecological status & bacteriological

  25. Special Areas of Conservation: • Habitats or species • Good + whatever is required for favourable conservation status

  26. Must all areas be restored to pristine (reference) conditions? • No! • The target in WFD is good status • Good ecological status and • Good chemical status • With no deterioration

  27. ECOLOGICAL STATUS { No or very minor HIGH Physico-chemical { QualityStandards GOOD Slight + { MODERATE Moderate Prevent deterioration { POOR Major Restore { BAD Severe WFD Aims

  28. What about a new aquaculture activity in a high status area? • ‘High ecological status’ • undisturbed biology • no, or only very minor, anthropogenic alterations to the physicochemistry and hydromorphology of the water body. • “MSs will not be in breach when a failure to prevent deterioration from high to good is the result of sustainable human development activities”

  29. What are the implications for the aquaculture industry? • Some aquaculture activities have the potential to alter ecological status • Bottom culture shellfish • The key – to minimise the area of impact and to ensure sustainable aquaculture practices.

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