Design and deployment of an affordable and long-lasting deep-water subsurface fish aggregation device

Schneider, E. V.C., Brooks, E. J., Cortina, M. P., Bailey, D. M. , Killen, S. S. and Van Leeuwen, T. E. (2021) Design and deployment of an affordable and long-lasting deep-water subsurface fish aggregation device. Caribbean Naturalist, 2021(83),

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Abstract

Fish aggregation devices (FADs) are used worldwide to enhance the efficiency of various fisheries. Devices consist of a floating or subsurface component designed to exploit natural fish behavior, using species’ attraction to structure to aggregate fish (e.g., Sargassum spp.) and increase capture success in open-ocean environments. Concerns have arisen regarding the scale and management of FAD-associated fisheries, but the efficiency of FADs to aggregate fish also introduces the possibility for FADs to be used as conservation tools to study pelagic species ecology. Building on 2 successful and several failed deployments of anchored, deepwater (>500 m), subsurface (10 m) FADs over 3 years in The Bahamas, and observations from the subsequent FAD-monitoring program, the objectives of the paper are to: (1) provide details and considerations for the design, construction, and deployment of an affordable and durable deepwater, subsurface FAD that can be deployed using small boats; and (2) highlight the potential for a long-lasting moored FAD to be used as a sustainable and reliable scientific platform for research and conservation of pelagic species, lending specifically to several research applications. This information will be useful for assessing the impacts that FADs and other anthropogenic marine infrastructure have on wild marine species, and their efficacy for conserving pelagic fish through increased encounters for study.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Killen, Professor Shaun and Schneider, Eric Vaughn Captain and Bailey, Dr David and Van Leeuwen, Dr Travis
Authors: Schneider, E. V.C., Brooks, E. J., Cortina, M. P., Bailey, D. M., Killen, S. S., and Van Leeuwen, T. E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Caribbean Naturalist
Publisher:Eagle Hill Institute
ISSN:2326-7100
ISSN (Online):2326-7119
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 Eagle Hill Institute
First Published:First published in Caribbean Naturalist 2021(83)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
308473Effects of Climate-Change Associated Stressors on Fish Social BehavioursShaun KillenNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)NE/T008334/1Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine