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A fish aggregating device, or “DCP” is displayed. State officials are asking the public to be on the lookout for devices, which create debris in the ocean and along the coast. Photo courtesy of DLNR
Maui News
The state’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources asks the public to keep an eye on foreign and domestic fish aggregation devices, or “DCP”, which can drift in coastal waters and run aground on the coasts.
FADs can be made from a variety of natural or manufactured materials, including bamboo, plastic pipes, netting or lines and buoys. They are deployed both legally and illegally by fishermen and the fishing industry in various parts of the world to attract schools of fish.
The devices present hazards to navigation and create a risk of entanglement, especially for marine mammals, birds and turtles.
The state has installed and maintained the Hawaii FAD program since 1980 to attract sport fishing species to FADS deployed offshore around the major Hawaiian Islands. They have limited entanglement potential for wildlife, the state said. Private industry or fishing FADs are not legally deployed in Hawaiian State waters.
A diver swims next to a fish aggregator. While some are legally deployed by the state, devices installed by private companies or the fishing industry are not permitted. Photo courtesy of DLNR
DLNR asks the public to report any large or hazardous marine debris through the Marine Debris Response and Disposal Report Form at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/reportmarinedebrishawaii/ or by calling the new hotline at lnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/reportmarinedebrishawaii/. Statewide at (833) 4DA-NETS.
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A fish aggregating device, or “DCP” is displayed. State officials are asking the public to be on the lookout for devices, which create debris in the ocean and along the coast. Photo courtesy of DLNR
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