Environmental Impact Assessments

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social and other relevant effects of proposed development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.

While many people assume the EIA is the final report that is produced, it is more accurate to understand it as a process, whose goal is to prevent environmental damage. The process is systemic, holistic and multidisciplinary.

For more about:

• defining EIAs, see the International Association for Impact Assessment.  
• the EIA process for aquaculture projects in the European Union, see MacAlister Elliott & Partners LTD report, “Best practices in responsible planning and sustainable management of aquaculture development,” 2025, pages 18-22.
• monitoring environmental impacts of aquaculture, see, “The scientific principle underlying the monitoring of the environmental impacts of aquaculture.”