Plans for controls on FADs in the PNA's Pacific tuna zone

06:05 am on 14 December 2016

The Parties to the Nauru Agreement manages the largest sustainable purse tuna fishery in the world for its eight member countries.

It has announced plans for tougher controls on the use of fish aggregating devices.

The PNA's chief executive, Ludwig Kumoru, says FADs have become vastly more efficient with the addition of satellite technology.

Mr Kumoru says the PNA is estimating there are about 50,000 FADs being used in the Pacific, with each boat having dozens.

Don Wiseman spoke with Mr Kumoru and began by asking him to explain just what a FAD is.

Listen

Fishing vessels, both modern and traditional, in the Madang lagoon, Papua New Guinea; site of the planned Pacific Marine Industrial Zone. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades