DFW retrieves fish aggregating device that came from Maui

A fish aggregating device is found drifting along the northeastern coast of Rota. (Contributed Photo)

On April 7, 2014, the NOAA Oceanography Team discovered a fish aggregating device drifting along the northeastern coast of Rota. Initially the FAD was believed to belong to the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Research Section. However, after further communication with respective FAD programs from the Pacific region, it was determined that the device was originally from Maui, and is believed to have been adrift for a number of years.
Upon being notified, DLNR-DFW acted with urgency to dispatch five fisheries staff for the extraction of the device on Rota. During their assessment, the team discovered that the 100-foot chain was lodged in a crevice that consisted mainly of limestone and coral. In order to avoid damaging coral and potential drifting, expeditious efforts were taken by the DFW staff to remove the chain.

With the support of the Sport Fish restoration program manager, Flinn Curren, and Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold Palacios, the successful recovery of the FAD was made. As a response to the extrication efforts taken on by the DFW Fisheries Research staff and other members of the extraction team, acting director Manuel Pangelinan expressed his gratitude for the immediate undertaking of this responsibility.

“I am happy that the FAD retrieval process was a success, and that the extrication team responded in a timely manner to ensure the continued protection of coral that will allow them to thrive,” said Pangelinan. “Furthermore, I am thankful to Secretary Arnold Palacios for his continued support of the DFW Fisheries staff and their FAD program.”

FADs are beneficial tools to both fishermen and fish. They provide complex habitat for bait fishes, and a feeding ground for pelagic fishes such as Skipjack Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahimahi. FADs benefit fishermen by maintaining a set location where pelagic fishes may be caught, minimizing the time spent searching for schools of fish or flocks of birds, reducing fuel consumption and overall cost when fishing, and by obtaining information on fish and FAD interactions. FADs also reduce fishing pressure on reef fishes.

The DFW-FRS has deployed six FADs throughout the CNMI. Of the six, five are deployed on Saipan and one is deployed on Tinian. In addition, DFW-FRS will be setting up two FADs on Rota and two more on Tinian this year. (DFW)