BY RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) is in its consultation phase to get feedback, gaps and suggestions on a new type of Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) as part of its five-year FAD draft plan for 2025-2030. 

The new type of Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) or raft is different from the existing one.

Principal Fisheries Officer, Aldrin Pezabule said while both have guidelines, the new type has stronger regulations that will govern it. 

“Yes, we can say that the existing one and the new type have guidelines, but the new type has regulations that guides it. Unlike before, if somebody cuts the rope of the FAD, they could walk freely. So, the new type has addressed those areas,” he said. 

Chief Fisheries Officer Sophia Natu said the new type will cover some aspects like socio-economic factors and biology of the fish.

“So, you could say it’s a brand-new type of plan that the Ministry of Fisheries is trying to implement,” she said.

The Fish Aggregating Device is like a management tool that helps support communities that depend heavily on fishing grounds for food.

“So, the FAD is built mainly to lessen the pressure that communities put on the fishing grounds,” she added.

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