Drifting fish aggregating devices in the Indian ocean impacts, management, and policy implications

The Indian Ocean has seen a rise in technologically advanced drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs), significantly increasing tropical tuna catches. These devices, equipped with GPS buoys and echo sounders, enhance fishing efficiency but also lead to increased juvenile tuna and bycatch species catches, ghost fishing, and abandoned gear. This study assesses the technological sophistication, and ecological impacts of dFADs in the region, particularly their role in IUU fishing when they drift into the Somali EEZ. Over a six-month period, 80-dFADs were opportunistically recovered along the four-sample coastline, with 63 being included analysis. None of the recovered dFADs complied with IOTC regulations. The study estimated the potential number of dFADs per km per annum over the Somali shelf as 1395 dFADs that could theoretically be recovered annually. This underscores substantial regulatory non-compliance and emphasizes the need for enhanced monitoring, stricter regulations, and IOTC cooperation to address the ecological and economic impacts on regional marine ecosystems and communities.