June 25, 2021
sprep-pa
The numbers of drifting fish-aggregating devices in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) have been underestimated, an ongoing study by the Pacific Community (SPC) shows. Dr Lauriane Escalle, at SPC’s Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP), said they had counted 159 FADs or satellite buoys around Wallis and Futuna in the first year of a project with Wallis and Futuna Fisheries Service. Nearly 60% (93) of the drifting objects counted were unattached satellite buoys. Of the drifting FADs, 43 had no buoy attached, and 22 did.
