Fish aggregating device
A fish aggregating (or aggregation) device (FAD) is a man-made object used to attract
Fish behaviour
Fish are fascinated with floating objects, which they use to mark locations for mating activities. They aggregate around objects such as drifting flotsam, rafts, jellyfish and floating seaweed. The objects appear to provide a "visual stimulus in an optical void",
Types
Drifting FADs float with the currents, are not tethered to the bottom and can be man made, or natural objects such as logs or driftwood. They can include sonar and GPS capabilities so that operators can contact it via satellite to assess associated populations.[5]
Moored FADs occupy a fixed location and attach to the sea bottom using a weight such as a concrete block. A rope made of floating synthetics such as polypropylene attaches to the mooring and in turn attaches to a buoy. The buoy can float at the surface (lasting 3–4 years) or lie subsurface to avoid detection and surface hazards such as weather and ship traffic. Subsurface FADs last longer (5–6 years) due to less wear and tear, but can be harder for fishers to locate. In some cases the upper section of rope is made from metal chain so that if the buoy detaches from the rope, the rope sinks and thereby avoids damage to passing ships.[6]
Traditional FADs
Fish aggregating devices have been traditionally used for centuries by fishermen in
They are most widespread in the
Modern payao have cylindrical, bullet-shaped, or rectangular steel floats that can better withstand rough seas, with
In
In
Applications
Fisheries
Drifting FADs are widespread in the
Before FADs, commercial tuna fishing used
Increasing FAD since 1990 increased the productivity of the fishing fleet, but has significant side-effects. The average FAD-caught fish is smaller and comes with relatively large bycatch, raising concern about populations of pelagic sharks.
The U.S. state of Hawaiʻi operates 55 surface FADs around its islands to support sport fishing and marine research.[6]
Marine Protected Areas
Blue water FADs can enhance the effectiveness of
Removal
In the Indian Ocean some NGOs want to reduce the impact of pollution and coral degradation by removing FADs that have drifted onto and damaging corals. Oceanika, a UN registered NGO, launches regular removal missions.[15]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-309-03788-4.
- ^ Hunter, JR; Mitchell, CT (1966). "Association of fishes with flotsam in the offshore waters of Central America". Fishery Bulletin. 66: 13–29.
- ^ Kingsford, M. J. (1993). "Biotic and abiotic structure in the pelagic environment: importance to small fishes". Bulletin of Marine Science. 53 (2): 393–415.
- .
- ^ a b "Research Explores Use of Commercial Fishing Gear as a Conservation Tool". The Nature Conservancy. December 11, 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ a b c "The FAD FAQ". Retrieved September 2, 2009.
- ^ ISBN 9781000201321.
- ^ a b c Itano, David; Fukofuka, Siosifa; Brogan, Deirdre (August 2004). The Development, Design and Recent Status of Anchored and Drifting FADs in the WCPO. SCTB17 Working Paper INF–FTWG–3 (PDF). Majuro, Marshall Islands: 17th Meeting of the Standing Committee on Tuna and Billfish.
- ^ Kihara, Yoshifumi (December 1981). "Fishery Based on the Payao Method in the Philippines". Suisan Sekai. 30 (12): 78–84.
- ^ Wesley A. Armstrong and Charles W. Oliver, "Recent Use of Fish Aggregating Devices in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Tuna Purse-Seine Fishery: 1990-1994," Southwest Fisheries Science Center. PDF. Last accessed 20 December 2006
- ^ "Palm fronds used in kannizzati should receive treatments to ward off Red Palm Weevil". Malta Today. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Azzopardi, Sarah Muscat (8 October 2023). "It's lampuki season! Take a look at this local tradition associated with Malta's small-scale fishing sector". GuideMeMalta.com. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Does fishing on drifting fish aggregation devices endanger the survival of tropical tuna?". Science News. 15 May 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- NOAA.
- ^ "Oceanika calls for industrial fishing vessels to do more to remove FADs in Seychelles' waters".
External links
- FADs in Hawaii, USA
- FADs in New South Wales, Australia
- FADs in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, USA
- Bhavani, V (2004) Fish Aggregating Devices Information Sources FAO: Information document: BOBP/INF/2, Rome.