Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) Recovery. Palmyra Atoll

Fish Aggregation Devices or FADs are utilised by commercial fishing vessels around the world to harvest Pelagic fish species like Tuna. The FAD provides protection for fish in the vast blue space of the open ocean. The fish it attracts also attract larger fish which try to hunt them. A food chain and micro ecosystem develops around the FAD until large predatory fish like Sharks, Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi mahi and Tuna arrive. The FAD in this case has a echo sounder attached to it that not only gives a GPS location for the FAD, but is also able to determine how many fish and of what species are swimming around the FAD. The fishing vessel can then determine if it is worth finding the FAD to harvest the Tuna.
Palmyra Atoll is surrounded by a large Marine Protected Area that is closed to commercial fishing. Crew were warned of a Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) drifting towards the Protected Reefs of the Atoll.
We went out to locate and retrieve the large apparatus before it hit the reefs, destroying pristine corals and causing untold damage as ghost fishing gear.
For more information about our underwater filming services please visit our webpage: lightningstrik...
Richard Brooks is an HSE Media Diver, Rebreather certified, with over 20 years professional underwater filming experience.
Lightning Strike Productions Ltd
44 Wagstaff way
Salisbury
Wilts
SP2 9BF
UK

[@petr-podrouzek]

Amazing, Richard !! 🙂🙂🙂

[@richardbrooks-lightning]

Thank you Petr