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DFW deploys new fish aggregation devices for sport fisheries
The Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Research Section has just completed the deployment of 2 new Fish Aggregation Devices, also known as FADs at the following locations:
Latitude Longitude Buoy
14°59’45.8″N 145°27’25.3″E FF
14°59’33.6″N 145°43’45.8″E CC
What are FADs?
FADs may be considered as a structural oasis in the open ocean, providing a home or hiding place for bait fishes and a feeding ground for pelagic fishes such as skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahimahi.
Why FADs?
FADs provide an alternative method of fishing compared to shore-based fishing. Fish aggregating devices benefit fishermen by: maintaining a set location where target, pelagic fishes may be caught; minimizing the time spent searching for schools of fish or flocks of birds; reducing fuel consumption when fishing; reducing cost to fishermen; and by obtaining information on fish and FAD interactions. FADs also reduce fishing pressure on reef fishes.
The CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife’s FAD program is ongoing and will be replacing, maintaining, and adding more FADs across the CNMI on a yearly basis, and is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Dingell-Johnson Sportfish Restoration Grant. (DFW)
