Global impacts of drifting fish aggregating devices on marine protected areas

Protected areas are a critical component of efforts to reverse biodiversity loss by 2050. In the ocean, free-drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) are released in large numbers by industrial purse seine fishing companies to help catch tuna. These devices can enter marine protected areas (MPAs) undetected, potentially leading to wildlife entanglement, plastic pollution, and habitat degradation. Here we investigate processes by which dFADs may compromise MPA objectives and assess the burden they put on existing MPAs. By analyzing drift, strandings, and expert interview data, we show that dFADs have likely interacted with 53% of the global MPA network by area and stranded in 174 protected areas, which are home to at least 490 at-risk species. While recent improvements to dFAD design should reduce harm to wildlife, our findings suggest that improved regulation, transparency, and industry accountability are required to mitigate additional effects on MPAs, especially around documented hotspots in the central Pacific, western Indian Ocean, and Caribbean.