Non-Entangling & Biodegradable FADs Guide

ISSF’s Non-Entangling & Biodegradable FADs guide for tuna fishers, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), governments, and vessel owners shows research-based best practices in Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) design — both to avoid bycatch and reduce marine pollution.

Four tuna RFMOs already require fleets in their regions that fish with FADs to use only non-entangling designs. Some RFMOs additionally encourage fleets to build those FADs with biodegradable materials. The guide, first published in 2012 and revised in 2019 to include the biodegradable recommendation, is available in several languages.

ISSF 2016-18A: Workshop on the Use of Biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)

Date Added: December 27, 2016
Authors: Dr. Gala Moreno, Dr. Victor Restrepo, Dr. Laurent Dagorn, Martin Hall, Dr. Jefferson Murua, Igor Sancristobal, Maitane Grande, Sarah Le Couls, Dr. Josu Santiago
Downloaded: 621 times
Tags: Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch Mitigation, FADs, science, Skippers Workshops
Language: English
Featured: False
Report Type: Workshop Report

Description

This report summarizes a workshop for fishers and scientists on biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)—or FADs made with natural materials—organized by ISSF on November 3–4, 2016, at the Aquarium of San Sebastian, Spain. Workshop participants proposed biodegradable FAD designs, which are depicted, for the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Plastic and other non-natural materials in FADs pollute the oceans when the devices sink or beach in coastal areas. FAD beaching events also can cause ghost fishing, when nets or debris entangle marine life, as well as damage in coral reefs. Scientists have been working since 2007 to develop different FAD structures to reduce these kinds of environmental impacts.