Why are FADs in our oceans ?
A Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) is an structure deployed in ocean waters to attract fish. the smallests congregate under and around the FAD, while adults of those species congregate a bit further away, and larger predators of all species near the FAD circle the perimeter. In this way, a single FAD creates an entire temporary mini-ecosystem around itself, giving fishermen a reliable point of reference for finding and capturing the desired species.
The tuna industry places thousands floatting FADs to attract tuna fish so fishing vessels can more easily catch them in their nets.
What is a FAD and its impact on the environment ?
A FAD is typically made from a bamboo and/or metal , it is equipped with plastic or balsa wood floats to ensure buoyancy, a submerged substructure that varies by ocean and fleet, but typically consists of ropes that can stretch up to 100 m below the surface, and a satellite-transmitting GPS-tracking buoy. Many of these materials consist of plastics or metals that are slow or impossible to decay.
FADs are abandoned at sea, they contribute to the global problem of marine debris and can even entangle wildlife specifically sharks and sea turtles.
After month and month, a large percentage of FADs end up drifting outside fishing grounds, threatening sensitive areas where they are stranded , contributing to ghost fishing and to non-biodegradable waste in the world’s oceans. In addition some end up in shallow water destroying coral reef.
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