AEF Societe pour le traitement et l'exportation du Poisson

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INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATIONA Member of the World Bank GroupINTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATIONA Member of the World Bank Group Environmental Review Summary (ERS) Project Name AEF - MAURITANIA: Société pour le Traitement et l’Exportation du Poisson (STEP S.A.)Region Sub-Saharan AfricaSector FisheriesProject No. 007969 April 1, 1997 1. This project, which is being financed through the Africa Enterprise Fund, involves the sourcing of high value demersal fish from artisan as well as industrial fishermen, for processing and export to EC markets. The fish will be conditioned in a 562 m² factory, to be constructed on a 1,943 m² plot owned by the sponsor and located in Nouakchott’s fishing harbour. The plant would have a workshop including a reception hall and conditioning/ processing areas, a 6t/day freezing tunnel and adequate cold storage for fish and ice. At full capacity, STEP would export 343 tons of fresh fish and 1,200 tons of frozen fish to the EC.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 following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed: Fishing Operations· sustainability of fish stocks;· dolphin friendly fishing techniques;· safety at sea (employee training and provision of safety equipment);· solid and liquid waste disposal. Fish Processing Plant· power and water supply and use;· liquid and solid waste treatment and disposal (including sewage);· CFC-free cold storage;· provision of personal protective equipement;· fire protection;· general housekeeping and plant hygiene; and· employee training and safety awareness.The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the proposed project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.3. Fishing Operations· Resource Sustainability All fish purchased by STEP originates from the special artisanal/ semi-industrial fishing zone set aside by the Government for small vessels. The Government is currently restructuring the fishing sector and is putting in place various laws relating to sustainability. These measures include: one month per year moratorium on fishing, fish size, and fishing techniques. There are also bans in place on fishing certain species. STEP suppliers will be using hook and line methods to catch fish, this is a less harmful and species specific technique of catching fish and will result in minimal bycatch. Dolphin friendly fishing techniques will be implemented. The Mauritanian Fisheries Department estimates sustainable demersal catch levels in the special zone to be around 80,000 tpa, the current artisanal catch is approximately 7,500 tpa. Total fishing resources are between 600,000 and 900,000 tpa. STEP will report to IFC on the sustainability issue on a yearly basis, and will ensure that artisan catch levels and purchasing operations are in line with resource to catch ratio.· Safety at Sea STEP will ensure artisan personnel to be trained in navigation and life safety techniques. Operations will fully comply with Mauritanian safety, employment, and fishing laws; boat engines will not exceed the 200 hp limit set for artisanal craft in the reserved 6 mile coastal zone.· Disposal of Solid and Liquid Waste solid waste will be disposed in on shore reception facilities, all used oils from the boats will be recovered for sale to recycling facilities.4. Fish Processing· Water supply will rely on two sources: marine water for fish processing and washing operations pumped out of a 30 meters deep borehole (15 m³/h) and to be stored in a 50 m³ tank, which will be analyzed twice a month; fresh water for sanitary use and ice making from the community water supply (5 m³/h) will be stored in 20 m³ tank.· Power supply will come from the existing National Electricity Company, and STEP will install a 400 KVA transformer.· Liquid Waste Disposal Liquid waste and sanitary effluent will be channeled into a septic system from where it will discharge via filtration into a subsurface soakaway system. Due to the significant volume of liquid waste from the processing (15 m³per day) and the proximity of the sea, a special septic tank (70 m³) will be designed. It will include, if necessary, a preliminary treatment. The potential for contamination of nearby ground or surface water is minimal, as there are no wells nearby and the phreatic aquifer is salted. STEP have committed to conduct, immediately following plant startup, final discharge water sampling tests to confirm that this system is functioning adequately in order to reduce BOD, TSS, and Oil&Grease levels to meet World Bank guidelines.· Solid waste disposal from fish and cephalopods will be stored in a cool room (Temp O°C), and be transfered every six hours for disposal via municipal incineration services.· Noise levels will not exceed 85 DBA during day time and 70 DBA at night· Cold Storage will utilize an R-22 based cold storage system. R-22 is a transitional substance and is currently an acceptable refrigerant under the Montreal Protocol.· Fire safety a total number of eight extinghuisers will be installed in the various strategic locations of the plant.· Employee Safety and Plant Hygiene Employees will be provided with personal protective equipment as necessary and will receive basic safety training. Ablution services will be provided. With regard to hygiene the plant will be designed and operated according to EC standards. All surfaces will be washed daily. The plant will be equipped with fire extinguishers and alarms.5. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that proposed project is being designed to meet the Government of Mauritania’s requirements, and World Bank policies and environmental, health and safety guidelines.6. IFC will monitor STEP’s 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.P:\CTEEU\STEP.ERSApril 1, 1997 2:01 PM