Coastal barriers can be either artificial or natural and mitigate concerns relating to storm or flood risks. The ERA will assess the required width of the coastal barrier to mitigate these risks.

Communities can also access marine resources through the maintenance of a coastal barrier.

The UoC shall ensure the width of the coastal barrier is at least 100m, or greater if the ERA determines the coastal barrier needs to be wider.

The ERA has determined the suitable width of the coastal barrier.

The maintained coastal barrier has a minimum width of 100m or greater, as determined by the ERA.

Spatial data and maps can provide evidence of the width of the coastal barrier and its maintenance.

The ERA has assessed the width of the coastal barrier.

The coastal barrier is 100m or greater, as determined by the ERA.

Spatial data or maps are presented to demonstrate the width of the coastal barrier and that it is maintained.

Riparian zones provide a buffer between natural waterbodies and adjacent terrestrial ecosystems.

The ERA will determine the minimum width of the riparian zone which needs to be maintained to ensure the functioning of the zone.

The UoC shall ensure the width of the riparian zone is at least 15m, or greater if the ERA determines the buffer zone needs to be wider.

The ERA report demonstrates the required width of the riparian zone.

The site ensures the riparian zone is maintained and is at least 15m wide. The buffer zone shall be wider if determined by the ERA.

The ERA report has assessed the suitable width and functioning of the riparian zone.

The width of the riparian zone is at least 15m, or wider as determined by the ERA.

Evidence has been presented, e.g. spatial data and maps, demonstrating the riparian zone is maintained at 15m or greater (as determined by the ERA).

GIS portal: GIS portal – ASC International (asc-aqua.org)

United States Environmental Protection Agency (2005): Riparian Buffer Width, Vegetative Cover, and Nitrogen Removal Effectiveness: A Review of Current Science and Regulations: Riparian buffer width, vegetative cover, and nitrogen removal effectiveness: A review of current science and regulations

Climate ADAPT (2023): Establishment and restoration of riparian buffers: Establishment and restoration of riparian buffers.

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (2005): Review of Riparian Buffer Zone Effectiveness: Review of Riparian Buffer Zone Effectiveness.

Maintaining wildlife corridors mitigates impacts on biodiversity and allows for wildlife movement across larger landscapes within their habitats or natural ranges.

The ERA shall determine whether any wildlife corridors are present within the site and whether the site has taken adequate measures to maintain them.

The ERA demonstrates whether wildlife corridors are present within the site and whether the corridors are adequately maintained.

Spatial data and maps over a relevant timescale can determine if wildlife corridors are maintained.

Whether the ERA report has identified the presence of wildlife corridors within the site.

If present, the ERA determines the site is maintaining the wildlife corridors.

The UoC has presented maps or spatial data to demonstrate wildlife corridors have been maintained.

GIS portal: GIS portal – ASC International (asc-aqua.org)

The Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) will determine whether there are sensitive habitats within the vicinity of the site and the risk drivers that increase the likelihood of negative impacts on any sensitive habitats.

Appendix 3.3 outlines the risk factors that shall be considered as a minimum when conducting the ERA.

An ERA report has been completed, which assesses the risk of negative impacts on any relevant sensitive habitats.

The ERA report demonstrates whether the risk of negative impacts on sensitive habitats is ‘low’.

An ERA has been completed, which includes at a minimum the risk factors outlined in Appendix 3.3.

The ERA determined whether sensitive habitats are located within the vicinity of the site.

GIS portal: GIS portal – ASC International (asc-aqua.org)

In accordance with Indicator 2.2.2, the ERA report will identify whether critical habitats are located within the boundaries of the site.

The size and biodiversity characteristics of critical habitats should either remain the same since the ERA was conducted or have increased/improved.

The ERA report has identified the presence of critical habitats within the boundaries of the site.

Documented measures and outcomes, which demonstrate critical habitats have been preserved, and that their size and biodiversity has not decreased.

Whether critical habitats have been identified in the ERA report.

If critical habitats are present, evidence has been provided to demonstrate measures to preserve the documented critical habitats.

Outputs of preservation measures should also be available where appropriate.

GIS portal: GIS portal – ASC International (asc-aqua.org)

The Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) will determine whether there are critical habitats within the vicinity of the site and the risk drivers that increase the likelihood of negative impacts on any critical habitats.

An ERA report has been completed, which assesses the risk of negative impacts on any relevant critical habitats.

The ERA report demonstrates whether the risk of negative impacts on critical habitats is ‘low’.

In cases where the risk level is not ‘low’, the ERA report identifies the risk drivers.

In cases where the risk level is ‘medium’ or ‘high’, the site demonstrates the actions taken to reduce the risk level to ‘low’.

Whether there are critical habitats in the vicinity of the site. If so, evidence has been provided in the ERA that the risk of negative impacts on the critical habitats is minimal.

Conditional allowances to the siting in Protected Areas (PA) have been taken from the ASC species standards while work is ongoing to develop updated conditional allowances.

Whether the site is in a PA and if so, provide evidence that the PA meets the conditional allowances specified in Appendix 4. This includes the demonstration of the Protected Areas Management Plan.

Whether the site is in a PA. If so, evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the site meets the conditional allowances in Appendix 4 (4.2).

Protected Planet: World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA): Explore the World’s Protected Areas.

An independent person is required to conduct the ERA for larger, more complex sites. However, small-scale or extensive aquaculture sites are not expected to contract an independent person to conduct the ERA.

To demonstrate competence, personnel conducting the ERA for small-scale or extensive aquaculture sites should be able to:

Documents outlining the person conducting the ERA has experience and competences that are relevant to the size and complexity of the site.

For larger, more complex sites, documents outlining the qualifications and experience of the independent person conducting the ERA.

Evidence and documents have been presented to demonstrate the person conducting the ERA has the necessary experience, competencies and qualifications.

Auditor discretion is permitted to determine whether the experience, competences and qualifications are suitable for the size of the site.

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