FADs entice fish and fishers to NSW coast
28 Oct 2013
Please note - This news release has now been archived and may contain outdated information.
FADs entice fish and fishers to NSW coast
Fishers and fish are expected to be drawn to the NSW coast this summer thanks to a series of fish attracting devices (FADs) being reinstalled along the NSW coast
Fishers and fish are expected to be drawn to the NSW coast this summer thanks to a series of fish attracting devices (FADs) being reinstalled along the NSW coast.
Full details of where each FAD is located can be found online
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 found online
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.
List of NSW FAD Locations 2013
| FAD Location | Deployed |
|---|---|
| Tweed Heads | No |
| Byron Bay | No |
| Ballina | Yes |
| Evans Head | No |
| Wooli | No |
| Coffs Harbour | Yes |
| South West Rocks | Yes |
| Port Macquarie | Yes |
| Laurieton | Yes |
| Crowdy Head | No |
| Forster | Yes |
| Port Stephens | Yes |
| Newcastle | No |
| Swansea | No |
| Terrigal | No |
| Sydney North (Northern Beaches/Palm Beach) | No |
| Sydney Harbour (North Shore/Manly) | Yes |
| Sydney East (Eastern Suburbs) | Yes |
| Botany Bay Wide (Eastern Suburbs) | Yes |
| Sydney South (Cronulla) | Yes |
| Wollongong | Yes |
| Kiama | Yes |
| Jervis Bay | No |
| Batemans Bay | No |
| Far South Coast (Eden) | No |
Contact: Alyssa Fitzgerald
Phone: 6391 3686, 0459 141 561
Email:
Media contact: Alyssa Fitzgerald 6391 3686, 0459 141 561
