Article
Fisheries
Lauriane Escalle, Steven R. Hare, Tiffany Vidal, Maurice Brownjohn, Paul Hamer, Graham Pilling
Summary: This study presents novel approaches to estimate annual dFAD deployments and monitoring by individual vessels in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean purse seine fishery. The results indicate a relatively stable trend in dFAD use in the WCPO, with a higher average deployment per year but a lower number of buoys monitored per vessel compared to other oceans.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Lauriane Escalle, Jennyfer Mourot, Paul Hamer, Steven R. Hare, Naiten Bradley Phillip, Graham M. Pilling
Summary: Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFAD) are commonly used in purse seine tuna fisheries globally. This study investigated the materials and designs used in dFAD construction over the past 10 years in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) using data collected by fishery observers. The results showed that natural materials are rarely used, except for bamboo in dFAD rafts for buoyancy. Most dFADs incorporate netting of various mesh sizes in their construction. Efforts are being made to transition towards more environmentally friendly dFAD designs, including the use of biodegradable materials.
Article
Environmental Studies
Iker Zudaire, Gala Moreno, Jefferson Murua, Paul Hamer, Hilario Murua, Mariana T. Tolotti, Marlon Roman, Martin Hall, Jon Lopez, Maitane Grande, Gorka Merino, Lauriane Escalle, Oihane C. Basurko, Manuela Capello, Laurent Dagorn, Maria Lourdes Ramos, Francisco J. Abascal, Jose Carlos Baez, Pedro J. Pascual-Alayon, Santiago Deniz, Josu Santiago
Summary: The structure, materials and designs of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) have remained relatively unchanged since the 1980s, but recently there has been an increase in their size and the use of plastic components. However, the abandoned dFADs can contribute to global marine litter problem. The solution to reducing marine pollution from industrial tuna fisheries that rely on dFADs includes transitioning to biodegradable and non-toxic materials, but more research and clarity on regulations, standards, and alternatives are needed.
Article
Fisheries
Taha Imzilen, David M. Kaplan, Nicolas Barrier, Christophe Lett
Summary: This study used a Lagrangian particle-tracking model to simulate the drift of drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The simulations showed that using the ocean model output (GLORYS12V1) provided more accurate results compared to satellite-derived ocean currents products (OSCAR and GEKCO). The study also found that the predictive ability of the model was higher for individual dFAD movements in the Indian Ocean than in the Atlantic Ocean.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Manuela Capello, Gorka Merino, Mariana Tolotti, Hilario Murua, Laurent Dagorn
Summary: Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are man-made floating objects used by fishers to aggregate tuna for catch. The development of purse-seine fisheries operating on drifting FADs has raised concerns about their impacts on tuna populations, non-target species, and habitats. The management of these fisheries is a priority for regional fisheries organizations.
Article
Fisheries
Peter D. Nooteboom, Joe Scutt Phillips, Inna Senina, Erik van Sebille, Simon Nicol
Summary: Catch per unit of fishing effort (CPUE) is commonly used as an indicator of tuna abundance, assuming a proportional relationship between the two. However, this paper shows that simulated catch is best modeled by a non-linear dependence on both tuna and dFAD abundance. This finding suggests that estimators of CPUE at the population scale may be biased when assuming a linear catch response.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Rong Wan, Tongzheng Zhang, Cheng Zhou, Fenfang Zhao, Weijie Wang
Summary: This study investigates the hydrodynamic responses of 14 types of biodegradable drifting FADs models in regular wave conditions, and conducts numerical simulations to validate the experimental results. Factors such as wave steepness, relative length, relative width, cover object, hanging object, and weight of sinker on the FADs are analyzed. The study shows that a FAD model constructed with netting panel and rope as cover object and hanging object, and weighted by a 2.00 kg sinker exhibits the most stable behavior among all the models.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Taha Imzilen, Christophe Lett, Emmanuel Chassot, Alexandra Maufroy, Michel Goujon, David M. Kaplan
Summary: Tropical tuna purse-seine fishing vessels contribute to the problem of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing equipment by deploying large numbers of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs). Research findings show that over 40% of these devices ultimately drift away from fishing grounds, with about 20% passing major ports. The study also identifies specific areas within the fishing grounds where most devices exit.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Peter D. Nooteboom, Joe Scutt Phillips, Christian Kehl, Simon Nicol, Erik van Sebille
Summary: This article presents a model to investigate the influence of tuna dynamics below the scale of 100 km on larger scales. The model considers the interactions between tuna, fish aggregating devices (FADs), and prey. The study finds that the model simulations compare well with observations at smaller scales, but show differences in emergent dynamics at larger scales due to variations in flow configurations.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amael Dupaix, Laurent Dagorn, Antoine Duparc, Aurelie Guillou, Jean-Louis Deneubourg, Manuela Capello
Summary: Human-induced habitat modifications can have significant effects on the biology and behavior of wild species. Drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs) used in tropical tuna fisheries have increased the number of floating objects in the ocean. However, a study in the western Indian Ocean suggests that the presence of DFADs did not negatively impact the condition of yellowfin tuna. The study recommends long-term monitoring of the habitat and tuna population to detect any critical changes.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Mauro Sinopoli, Fabio Badalamenti, Massimiliano Bottaro, Giovanni D'Anna
Summary: Fish aggregating devices (FADs) have a significant impact on the distribution and movement patterns of juvenile fish species. FADs arranged along an inshore-offshore gradient can facilitate the approach of young fish towards coastal habitats. Tagging experiments and underwater visual censuses confirm that FADs affect the dispersal of species towards the coast and their proper use can enhance the sustainable management of coastal fish resources.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Rodney Govinden, Manuela Capello, Fabien Forget, John D. Filmalter, Laurent Dagorn
Summary: This study investigated the associative behavior of skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna within multi-species aggregations associated with drifting fish aggregating devices in the western Indian Ocean. Results showed differences in residence and absence times at different temporal scales and regions, providing valuable insights for the science-based management of dFADs in the Indian Ocean.
FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Horace Owiti Onyango, Jacob Odhiambo Ochiewo, Nicholas John Karani
Summary: Artisanal fishers along the Kenyan coast are limited by existing fishing methods and traditional vessels, leading to continued overfishing in sheltered reef areas. Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) have been proposed as a new technological frontier to increase income by capturing high valued fish species like tuna, but acceptance among artisanal fishers remains low. Shortcomings of FADs projects include theft, vandalism, attracting illegal fishers, and conflicts among fishers, leading to the perception that the technology is unsustainable.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Liming Song, Huihui Shen
Summary: This article analyzes the current challenges in dFAD management measures in tuna regional fishery management organizations (t-RFMOs) and explores opportunities to strengthen dFAD management in tuna fisheries. Recommendations include standardizing definitions, counting all deployed dFADs towards quantity limits, establishing a tracking and monitoring program, and implementing a compensation mechanism framework.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael Bode, Edward T. Game, Alex Wegmann, Kydd Pollock
Summary: Drifting fish aggregation devices (FADs) have had a revolutionary impact on pelagic fisheries and are now the main method for tuna purse seine catches. This article discusses the potential benefits of using FADs to enhance blue water marine protected areas (MPAs) and finds that deploying conservation FADs can reduce mortality rates and improve ecosystem functioning. The amplification of benefits is most significant in blue water MPAs with smaller areas compared to the open ocean and fish stocks distribution.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hilario Murua, Shane P. Griffiths, Alistair J. Hobday, Shelley C. Clarke, Enric Cortes, Eric L. Gilman, Josu Santiago, Haritz Arrizabalaga, Paul de Bruyn, Jon Lopez, Alexandre M. Aires-da-Silva, Victor Restrepo
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Grazia Pennino, Stephanie Brodie, Andre Frainer, Priscila F. M. Lopes, Jon Lopez, Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Samiya Selim, Natasa Vaidianu
Summary: Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a relatively new approach to ocean management that is currently driven primarily by economic interests rather than by sociocultural goals. Integrating sociocultural layers into MSP can help reduce governance rigidity, promote adaptability in decision-making, support environmental justice, and improve MSP acceptance and uptake. Providing a more inclusive definition of the MSP process that considers users' rights and sociocultural objectives may increase the chances of success in both the human and nature aspects.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Anildo Nataniel, Priscila F. M. Lopes, Jon Lopez, Maria Soto
Summary: Industrial and small-scale tuna fisheries in Mozambique may compete over the same resources, potentially leading to socio-ecological impacts. While small-scale tuna fisheries provide local jobs and economic benefits, the industrial fisheries sector may only have economic advantages if Fishing Partner Agreements are improved and enforced. Maintaining non-overlapping fishing grounds between the two sectors could lead to major pressure on tuna stocks.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Anildo Nataniel, Maria Grazia Pennino, Jon Lopez, Maria Soto
Summary: The study aims to predict potential skipjack tuna fishing grounds by 2050 and 2100, finding that greenhouse gas emissions will cause the fishing grounds to shift southward, negatively impacting coastal communities.
FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Oihane C. Basurko, Gorka Gabina, Jon Lopez, Igor Granado, Hilario Murua, Jose A. Fernandes, Inigo Krug, Jon Ruiz, Zigor Uriondo
Summary: Different fishing strategies in tropical tuna purse seiners fleet, including FAD and FSC, have different carbon footprints. A study monitored energy consumption of a Spanish tuna purse seiner in the Indian Ocean and analyzed fuel use intensity of FAD vs. FSC fishing. FAD fishing is more fuel intensive but has higher success rates compared to FSC fishing.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jose Carlos Baez, Santiago Deniz, Maria Lourdes Ramos, Maitane Grande, Jon Ruiz, Hilario Murua, Josu Santiago, Ana Justel-Rubio, Miguel Herrera, Isadora Moniz, Jon Lopez, Pedro Jose Pascual-Alayon, Anertz Muniategi, Nekane Alzorriz, Marta Gonzalez-Carballo, Vanessa Rojo, Francisco Abascal
Summary: The use of fish aggregating devices in tropical tuna fisheries has increased, leading to concerns about juvenile tuna mortality, bycatch, and marine debris. This study aims to improve FAD management by reviewing data requirements, identifying data gaps, and providing recommendations for strengthening data collection systems.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Brodie, Charles Izuma Addey, Christopher Cvitanovic, Beatriz S. Dias, Andre Frainer, Sara Garcia-Morales, Shan Jiang, Laura Kaikkonen, Jon Lopez, Sabine Mathesius, Kelly Ortega-Cisneros, Maria Grazia Pennino, Carl A. Peters, Samiya A. Selim, Rebecca Shellock, Natasa Vaidianu
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jean-Noel Druon, Steven Campana, Frederic Vandeperre, Fabio H. V. Hazin, Heather Bowlby, Rui Coelho, Nuno Queiroz, Fabrizio Serena, Francisco Abascal, Dimitrios Damalas, Michael Musyl, Jon Lopez, Barbara Block, Pedro Afonso, Heidi Dewar, Philippe S. Sabarros, Brittany Finucci, Antonella Zanzi, Pascal Bach, Inna Senina, Fulvio Garibaldi, David W. Sims, Joan Navarro, Pablo Cermeno, Agostino Leone, Guzman Diez, Maria Teresa Carreon Zapiain, Michele Deflorio, Evgeny V. Romanov, Armelle Jung, Matthieu Lapinski, Malcolm P. Francis, Humberto Hazin, Paulo Travassos
Summary: This study presents the first global-scale analysis of blue shark habitat preferences based on a large dataset of observations and environmental data. The results reveal that the blue shark's habitat requirements vary across different size and sex classes, and are influenced by factors such as productivity and temperature. Understanding the habitat needs of sensitive stages in the blue shark population is essential for effective management and conservation of this species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Melissa R. Cronin, Donald A. Croll, Martin A. Hall, Nerea Lezama-Ochoa, Jon Lopez, Hilario Murua, Jefferson Murua, Victor Restrepo, Stefany Rojas-Perea, Joshua D. Stewart, Jennifer L. Waldo, Gala Moreno
Summary: This study examines the knowledge of Mobulid bycatch and mitigation ideas in Eastern Pacific Ocean purse seine fisheries. The primary obstacles for mitigating Mobulid bycatch are the inability to sight them before capture, the lack of specific onboard equipment, and the difficulty of releasing large individuals. The study suggests that simple operational modifications and interventions after capture could address these challenges.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Fisheries
Maria Soto, Lourdes Fernandez-Peralta, Maria Grazia Pennino, Alexandros Kokkalis, Javier Rey, Francisca Salmeron, Maria Liebana, Beyah Meissa, Laurie Kell
Summary: Recently, various state-space implementations of surplus production models (SPMs) have been developed for data-limited stocks. These models often underestimate catches and fishing effort, and ignore discards, leading to biased estimates of stock status and reference points. This study conducts a sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of different under-reporting scenarios on model estimates for the black hake species in northwest Africa. The results indicate that under-reporting has a significant impact on the ratio of current fishing mortality to the fishing pressure that gives the maximum sustainable yield, and highlight the need for further research on the initial depletion level prior assumption.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Cleridy E. Lennert-Cody, Jon Lopez, Mark N. Maunder
Summary: The study developed annual set type classification algorithms for the tropical tuna purse-seine fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean using random forests. The results showed that different set types can be reliably distinguished based on operational characteristics and catch and bycatch information. The algorithms had low misclassification error rates and could be used to validate set type determinations based on other criteria.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Iker Zudaire, Gala Moreno, Jefferson Murua, Paul Hamer, Hilario Murua, Mariana T. Tolotti, Marlon Roman, Martin Hall, Jon Lopez, Maitane Grande, Gorka Merino, Lauriane Escalle, Oihane C. Basurko, Manuela Capello, Laurent Dagorn, Maria Lourdes Ramos, Francisco J. Abascal, Jose Carlos Baez, Pedro J. Pascual-Alayon, Santiago Deniz, Josu Santiago
Summary: The structure, materials and designs of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) have remained relatively unchanged since the 1980s, but recently there has been an increase in their size and the use of plastic components. However, the abandoned dFADs can contribute to global marine litter problem. The solution to reducing marine pollution from industrial tuna fisheries that rely on dFADs includes transitioning to biodegradable and non-toxic materials, but more research and clarity on regulations, standards, and alternatives are needed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maite Pons, Jordan T. Watson, Daniel Ovando, Sandra Andraka, Stephanie Brodie, Andres Domingo, Mark Fitchett, Rodrigo Forselledo, Martin Hall, Elliott L. Hazen, Jason E. Jannot, Miguel Herrera, Sebastian Jimenez, David M. Kaplan, Sven Kerwath, Jon Lopez, Jon McVeigh, Lucas Pacheco, Liliana Rendon, Kate Richerson, Rodrigo Sant'Anna, Rishi Sharma, James A. Smith, Kayleigh Somers, Ray Hilborn
Summary: Recent improvements have been made in reducing bycatch in many fisheries, but it remains a threat for numerous species globally. This study evaluated the effectiveness of temporal, static, and dynamic area closures on reducing bycatch and maintaining target catch in 15 fisheries around the world. The results showed that dynamic closures could achieve an average reduction of 57% in bycatch without sacrificing target catch, compared to only 16% reduction achieved by static closures. The use of dynamic management is more effective in reducing bycatch and will be increasingly valuable in the face of climate change.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)