The Challenge of Drifting Fishing Gear
For a marine protected area, a line on the map is supposed to carry legal weight. It informs fishing boats where they cannot go. It informs managers where their authority begins. It informs governments what they have promised to protect. In the open ocean, this line can be difficult to defend. Fish move across it. Currents cross it. Plastic and lost gear drift into it. A reserve can be closed to fishing boats and still receive the detritus of industrial fishing.
A recent article in Science Advances shows how serious this problem is for a widely used fishing technology: drifting fish aggregation devices, or dFADs. These are floating buoys, often equipped with satellite beacons and echosounders, that help purse-seine fleets find and catch tuna. Tuna and other species gather around floating objects. For fishing companies, dFADs make a mobile and unpredictable ocean easier to exploit. For protected areas, they create a different problem.
Why This Matters
The impact of dFADs on marine protected areas is significant. They can be deployed outside a reserve, drift into it, aggregate fish, entangle wildlife, break apart, sink, or be washed up on beaches and reefs. All this can happen without a boat crossing the boundary. Furthermore, the data from the beacons are generally controlled by fishing companies, making it difficult for managers to monitor these devices.
The Science Behind dFADs
dFADs work by exploiting the natural behavior of fish to gather around floating objects. This facilitates capture for fishing fleets but also creates a risk for marine species that get entangled or are caught accidentally. The drift of these devices into protected areas can lead to biodiversity loss and damage to marine ecosystems.
Broader Context
The problem of dFADs is not isolated. It is part of a broader issue regarding the management of marine protected areas and the regulation of industrial fishing. The lack of transparency and cooperation between fishing companies and protected area managers complicates the implementation of effective measures to prevent the drift of these devices into reserves.
What Happens Next
A joint effort is needed to address the problem of dFADs in marine protected areas. This may include the implementation of more advanced tracking technologies, the creation of stricter regulations for industrial fishing, and the promotion of international cooperation to protect the oceans. Additionally, awareness of the impact of dFADs can lead to changes in consumption patterns and demand for more sustainable fishing practices.
Consequences and Perspectives
The protection of marine areas is crucial for the conservation of marine biodiversity and the health of ocean ecosystems. The drift of dFADs into these areas is a significant challenge that requires a coordinated and effective approach. Continuous surveillance and research on the impact of these devices are essential for developing mitigation and protection strategies.
Source / Reference
Original article published in Mongabay.