Environmental impact assessment of Tilapia (Tilapia nilotica) farming project in brackish water of Bafgh, Yazd

The aim of the present study is the environmental impact assessment of tilapia (Tilapia nilotica) farming project in brackish water of Bafgh, with goals to achieve localization of technology and knowledge of tilapia fish production, employment and the possibility to controlled development in other areas. Total area used for the project includes three indoor areas for breeding operation, nursery (juvenile breeding) and growing. In order to achieve sustainable development of breeding this fish, impact assessment of this project development in which, environmental and socio-economic effects are considered, it seems essential and project will be accomplished more confidently. So, after considering the technical characteristics of the project, the immediate, direct and indirect impact area were determined and environmental aspects of area identified. Simple matrix method was utilized for the environmental impact assessment. Based on investigation, accessibility of the region, compatibility with the other land uses, lack of sensitive land uses in the area, not covered with the sensitive habitats range, the lack of permanent river flow, low quality of underground water and end up underground water flows in downstream desert and evaporated which result in impossibility of escaping introduced fish from the farm and the use of existing spaces in the first half of the year to product lead to make fewer infrastructure costs and increase revenue, are the main criteria for the sustainable development of this species culture in the area. Considering the executed studies and results of the matrix assessment construction and operation phases, it was concluded that there is no considerable destructive impacts related to the project. Therefore due to the fact that 50% of means in rows and columns of the matrix were not less than -3.1, so, we proposed execution of it with rehabilitation plans. Therefore, some strategies and plans to consider reducing the negative effects and enhance positive effects of the project, including monitoring programs, were proposed.