A recent study reveals that fish aggregating devices (FADs) used in tuna fishing are causing environmental harm by drifting into marine protected areas and damaging coral reefs. Despite fishing bans in these protected zones, over 1,500 FADs have infiltrated these areas globally.
FADs, typically the size of a boardroom table and made of wood or bamboo with plastic components, attract smaller tropical tuna like skipjack. These floating rafts are equipped with ropes to lure fish without entangling wildlife, after netting was banned in 2025. Once fish gather underneath, fishing boats return to catch them using purse seine nets.
Each year, around 100,000 FADs are released into the ocean, with 90% eventually lost and potentially drifting for up to five years. The study documented over 6,000 FAD strandings in 174 protected areas, causing damage to coral reefs and endangering marine wildlife.
To address these issues, efforts are being made to make tuna fishing more sustainable. Sustainability certifications like Marine Stewardship Council labels on tuna cans have incentivized fishing companies to adopt eco-friendly practices, such as reducing netting and using biodegradable materials. Organizations like the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation have introduced designs for biodegradable FADs, like the “jelly FAD,” made of bamboo and cotton.
Recommendations to lessen FAD impacts include limiting their deployment, avoiding release in areas prone to strandings, and encouraging the retrieval of old FADs. Initiatives like creating buffer zones between fishing grounds and coral reefs, as seen in the Spanish fleet near the Seychelles, help mitigate environmental damage. Public awareness and ongoing research are crucial in improving FAD fishing practices to protect marine ecosystems.
