Purse Seine Guidebook
A number of research projects have investigated alternative FAD designs that not only reduce the incidental entanglement and catch of sharks and sea turtles but also are constructed using biodegradable materials, which reduce the impacts of lost and abandoned FADs while maintaining the FAD’s ability to aggregate fish. The “FAD Do’s” and “FAD Don’ts” galleries illustrate the do’s and don’ts of non-entangling and biodegradable FAD design. ISSF also produced a guide summarizing the recommendations on non-entangling and biodegradable FAD construction.
Jelly-FADs
In response to the challenge for fleets of transitioning to FADs made from organic materials, which are in general less durable than plastic-based alternatives currently in use, ISSF has developed the “jelly-FAD” — a new non-entangling and biodegradable FAD design. Inspired by the neutral buoyancy of jellyfish, the jelly-FAD is a lighter, simpler structure than other FAD designs — including previous biodegradable designs — that have been used to attract tuna.
Jelly-FADs are constructed using bamboo, cotton, abacá, and other organic materials. To build jelly-FADs for their vessels, tuna fishers can consult ISSF’s Jelly-FAD Construction Guide.
