Fish Aggregating Device deployments and maintenance on Guam
1 : Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources
(DAWR)
* : Corresponding author
163 Dairy Road Mangilao 96913 -
Guam
Fish Aggregating Devices were deployed on Guam in the hopes of providing better opportunity for sustenance and small scale commercial pelagic fisherman. Most fishermen realized that longer distances were traveled to yield a favorable catch. The first two FADs were deployed in 1979 and currently 14 FAD locations are utilized. Designs, locations, permitting requirements and the number of FADs have changed over the years due to funding, frequent loss of buoys and the naturally occurring higher catch rate on the windward parts off the island. Data collected from creel surveys conducted on boat based fisherman by the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources and reports from local fisherman outside sample days suggest better catch rates on fishing trips utilizing the FADS. Some reports indicated that the FAD immediately started working just hours after deployment. Additionally, fishermen without sophisticated electronics use the Fads as waypoints to help plot more efficient fishing trips. The importance of FADS on Guam is evident in the frequent use and dissent of fisherman as FADS become detached from mooring further justifying the maintenance of the current 14 FAD locations surrounding Guam.
| Subject : | : | oral |
| Language of text | : | English |
| Topics | : | 1- Artisanal Fisheries and moored FAD programs |
| Keywords | : | fad fisherman Guam |
| PDF version | : |  PDF version |
