The use of anchored, nearshore FADs is widely recognised as being one of the few practical ways of increasing the tuna catches of small-scale fishers. In the Pacific Islands region, greater local catches of tuna are needed to help supply the fish required by growing urban and rural populations.
Already more than 300 anchored nearshore and offshore FADs are in use among various Pacific Island countries. Many more will be needed in the future. However, considerable planning, monitoring and research must be done to enable the full benefits of nearshore FADs to be harnessed.
