Recreational fishers off Western Australia’s northern coast will have more time to drop a line with eight new generation fish aggregating devices (FADs) now deployed all year round.
FADs consist of buoys or floats that are moored to the ocean floor using an anchor system. The devices act as an aggregation point for baitfish, attracting large sport fishing species and providing increased recreational fishing opportunities.
The new reinforced FADs will be deployed off Broome and Dampier in May and have been re-engineered with more robust chain rigging and modelled to withstand cyclone conditions. These strengthen features will allow the FADs to stay anchored in the water year-round, extending the region’s sport fishing season.
“These tough new FADs will extend the season for sport fishing and increase opportunities for recreational fishers off Dampier and Broome,” said Fisheries Minister, Jackie Jarvis..
“FADs help attract species that we know are in abundance based on scientific research and stock management, supporting sustainable recreational fishing across the State.”
One of the Dampier FADs will also be used as a platform for a wave buoy, expanding WA’s network of buoys which provide real-time observations of wave conditions.
This live wave and temperature data will be available through wawaves.org, allowing fishers to better plan their trips. The data will also be used by The University of Western Australia scientists to improve models of how or when the swell arrives in Dampier Port.
The eight new and improved FADs are in addition to four FADs that have already been deployed off Exmouth and the 30 deployed in the southern part of the State each year.
Maps and coordinates of all WA’s FADs are available on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fisheries website at Fish aggregating devices (FADs) and artificial reefs and via Recfishwest at FADs locations – Recfishwest.
