KOROR, Palau (TNC) — The Nature Conservancy Micronesia and Polynesia, together with local fishing communities and fisheries management agencies, has expanded the use of coastal Fish Aggregating Devices or FADs across Micronesia. Over the past year, more than 10 new FADs were installed in Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Pohnpei, helping communities to catch more pelagic fish, like tuna, while reducing pressure on already stressed coral reef fisheries.
Micronesian communities depend heavily on reef fish for food and income, but increasing demand on nearshore resources has led to declining stocks. By attracting pelagic fish closer to shore, the FADs shorten fishing trips, cut costs, and help safeguard vulnerable reef ecosystems.
Each FAD that is deployed as part of this program is equipped with advanced echosounder buoys that provide real-time information on fish presence and FAD locations. Fishers can access this information through an online platform to plan safer and more efficient trips. Moreover, fisheries managers can monitor FAD conditions remotely and recover lost or damaged units.
In collaboration with the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, the Pohnpei Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Palau Bureau of Fisheries, and the Pacific Community or SPC, TNC is introducing a new approach by involving local fishers in every stage of FAD deployment: selecting sites, building the FADs, and putting them in the water. This hands-on process builds community capacity and reinforces local ownership and stewardship of the program.
Alongside FAD deployments, TNC continues to deliver training in mid-water fishing techniques, including a three-day practical workshop with Pohnpei fishers held in collaboration with the Pohnpei State Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture and SPC in September 2024. These sessions equip communities with the knowledge and skills to fish safely, efficiently, and sustainably around the new FAD network.
“By working hand-in-hand with local fishers to deploy and manage these FADs, we’re not only improving access to pelagic fish — we’re also laying the groundwork for community-led stewardship,” says Dr. Alex Filous, director of sustainable fisheries at TNC Micronesia and Polynesia. “Our hope is that this initiative ignites regional momentum toward a more sustainable and resilient future — for both the people of Micronesia and the marine ecosystems they depend on.”
