The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has selected ESC to conduct an Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for a sustainable aquaculture fish farm in Vietnam. This assignment follows ESC’s successful completion of the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) audit for the same fish farm in February. This audit gave ESC valuable insights into the farm’s operations, improving their knowledge of the project.
In 2023, ADB signed a $15 million convertible note agreement to support the development of a climate-resilient barramundi and seaweed aquaculture in Vietnam. ADB will provide funding for operational expenses to expand the fish farm’s activities at Van Phong Bay and establish a regional production hub in southern Vietnam. The financing will also support the ongoing expansion of the fish farm in Vietnam. Once operational, the fish farm is expected to achieve an annual barramundi production of 50,000 tons.
To evaluate the project’s compliance with the ADB environmental and social standards, as well as national and local laws, ESC will conduct environmental and social studies at three facilities in Van Phong Bay and one at Kien Giang Bay. These facilities comprise an expanded ocean farm and a new broodstock facility in Van Phong Bay, along with new production facilities and associated operations at Kien Giang Bay.
In spearheading the ESIA, ESC has assembled a team of environmental and social experts to conduct a thorough evaluation. ESC will start by inspecting the current facilities to assess its compliance with ADB’s safeguard policies regarding environmental and social aspects and to formulate a plan for implementing required corrective actions. Following this, an initial environmental and social examination (IESE) will be conducted for the expanded ocean farm and new broodstock facility in Van Phong Bay to ensure lender requirements are met.
After completing the first two tasks, ESC will develop the ESIA for the new production facilities and associated operations at Kien Giang Bay. This study will examine the immediate and long-term effects of the construction and operation phases. The research process will include gathering input from different stakeholders and formulating recommendations based on the findings.
ESC was chosen for the project due to their extensive expertise and long-standing collaboration with international development aid institutions in Asia, particularly in developing countries. Their wealth of experience empowers its environmental consultants to effectively leverage their deep understanding of Vietnamese regulations and international best practices, ensuring that the study aligns with international standards.
ESC’s expertise in environmental and social assessments, combined with its track record, makes them a valuable partner for organisations in Vietnam. Their involvement in this project contributes to the success of the large-scale farming operations in the region.
To learn more about how ESC can support your infrastructure projects in Vietnam, talk to us today. Our friendly environmental consultants are ready to help!