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- Objectives
- A controlled experiment in tropical waters to assess the degradation of new BioFAD surface components that reduce ocean debris and pollution contributions by commercial tuna fishing.
- Background
- Almost half of the global tropical tuna catch worldwide is currently fished by purse seiners using FADs.
- FADs construction materials have evolved, aimed at higher resistance and durability. The utilization of synthetic materials has become prevalent due to their exceptional resilience, but these synthetic materials contribute to the increasing problem of marine litter and potential species entanglement.
- Thus, the IATTC adopted Resolution C-23-04 that requires fleets to transition to fully biodegradable FADs by 2030.
- Relevance for management
- Reducing ecosystem and ecological impacts on vulnerable ecosystems and species is key for FAD management purposes. The results derived from this assessment will support fleets transitions to biodegradable FADs and contribute towards developing best fishing practices and management measures by the Commission
- Duration
- 13 months
- Workplan and status
- Mo. 1: Analysis of the specifications of the trials, experimental design, assemblage and installation under controlled conditions in Achotines, Panamá. Mo. 2-13: Periodic evaluations and monitoring of biodegradable materials, analysis of performance of materials under controlled conditions.
- External collaborators
- AZTI
- Deliverables
- Complete data collection sheet and audiovisual information of the evaluations Dissemination material for the FAD Working Group, likely in 2024-2025.
- Updated date: 01 May 2024
- Progress summary for the reporting period
- December 2023-January 2024: material acquisition and shipping to Achotines, Panama. February – April 2024: The specifications of the trials, experimental design and samples assemblage and installation were made. The collection of data on physical characteristics of biodegradable materials started.
- Challenges and key lessons learnt
- Rough ocean and weather conditions in the Achotines Lab may affect the condition of the BioFAD materials. To prevent material losses, the BioFADs were tethered in an offshore tuna cage, and evenly distributed within the sea cage ring.