DLNR looks to cull marine debris | News, Sports, Jobs
A fish aggregating device, or “FAD” is shown. State officials are asking the public to be on the lookout for the devices, which are creating debris in the ocean and along the coast. Photo courtesy DLNR
The Maui News
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is asking the public to keep an eye out for foreign and domestic fish aggregating devices, or “FADs,” which may be adrift in nearshore waters and washing up on coasts.
FADs can be made out of a variety of natural or manufactured materials, including bamboo, plastic pipes, mesh nets or lines and buoys. They are deployed both legally and illegally by fishers and the fishing industry in various parts of the world to attract schools of fish.
The devices are hazards for navigation and create the risk of entanglement, especially for marine mammals, birds and turtles.
The state has installed and maintained the Hawaii FAD program since 1980 to attract sportfishing species to FADS deployed offshore around the main Hawaiian islands. They have limited entanglement potential for wildlife, the state said. Private or fishing industry FADs are not legally deployed in Hawaii state waters.
A diver swims alongside a fish aggregating device. While some are deployed legally by the state, devices installed by private companies or the fishing industry are not allowed. Photo courtesy DLNR
The DLNR asks the public to report any large or hazardous marine debris items through the marine debris response and removal reporting form at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/reportmarinedebrishawaii/ or by calling the new statewide hotline at (833) 4DA-NETS.
A fish aggregating device, or “FAD” is shown. State officials are asking the public to be on the lookout for the devices, which are creating debris in the ocean and along the coast. Photo courtesy DLNRToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
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