Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Manager Fisheries Enhancement, Dr Heath Folpp said these devices are strategically placed at key fishing spots each year over the warmer months to enhance recreational fishing opportunities.
“Twenty-five fish attracting devices are in the process of being deployed to entice popular fish species such as mahi-mahi and marlin to the NSW coastline for the enjoyment of recreational fishers,” Dr Folpp said.
“Ten FADs have already been deployed off the NSW north coast and off Sydney and the remaining FADs will hit the water in the coming weeks.
“Monitoring has shown these devices are extremely effective at creating new high value fishing opportunities.”
FADs are yellow, spherical buoys with a flashing beacon for safe navigation, which tend to attract surface-dwelling fish such as mahi-mahi and other fast growing oceanic fish.
The devices are designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions and are deployed between 9 and 32 kilometres offshore. Their locations may fluctuate slightly depending on wind, swell and current direction.
Dr Folpp said the FADs program is just one of the many initiatives that uses funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust to improve recreational fishing across the State.
“Funds raised from the sale of recreational fishing licenses in NSW is placed into trust and this money can only be spent on projects that will enhance recreational fisheries in NSW,” Dr Folpp said.
“More than $130 million has been spent on projects to improve recreational fishing for the State’s avid fishing community to date and these FADs are just one example of how licence fees are used to benefit fisheries across NSW.”
Full details of where each FAD is located can be here.
People who use FADs are asked to abide by a code of conduct that can be found on the DPI website and anglers can now sign up for emails to alert them of the locations of FADs and other relevant information.
