EU joins Indian Ocean groups in drive to minimize impact of FADs
The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Sustainable Indian Ocean Tuna Initiative (SIOTI), and the Spanish Association of Tuna Freezers (AGAC) have joined forced to launch a new project that aims to reduce the impacts of drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs).
The new initiative, the FAD Watch Project, aims to reduce the impacts of dFADs on coral reefs, shallow water habitats, and coastal zones, Europêche said in a press release. All European tuna purse seiners are parts of the new initiative, either through participation in AGAC, or through membership in the local groups.
“A DFAD typically has a floating structure (such as a bamboo or metal raft with buoyancy provided by buoys, corks, etc.) and a submerged structure (made of old netting, canvass, ropes, etc.). Its use has rapidly expanded in all the oceans.“A DFAD typically has a floating structure (such as a bamboo or metal raft with buoyancy provided by buoys, corks, etc.) and a submerged structure (made of old netting, canvass, ropes, etc.). Its use has rapidly expanded in all the oceans.“
