Abstract

Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) are a gear accessory utilized on a global scale by commercial fishers to increase the catch size and efficiency of harvesting target pelagic fishes such as tuna. Despite their widespread use, there are few scientific estimates of the total number of abandoned or beached dFADs in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Basin or the compliance of dFAD use with t- RFMO recommendations. Previous studies have mapped the beaching location of dFADs based on beaching locations determined by rate of drift, but this study is the first of its kind, analyzing true beaching events. This study identifies the beaching location, composition, and the compliance of stranded dFADs with ICCAT Rec. 19-02 in the western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea using citizen science census data reported over social media. Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded (ALDFG) dFADs were reported on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, along the Atlantic coast of the United States and 17 Caribbean Island nations, with reports in Scotland, Ireland, and Brazil. Sixty-one (22.8%) dFADs were reported as having beached in United States National or State Parks, MPAs (both domestic and foreign), as well as foreign conservation areas. Furthermore, a total of 119 (72.12%) of photo-documented dFADs were noncompliant. It is our recommendation that the distribution of abandoned lost, and otherwise discarded dFADs be surveyed in the North Atlantic Ocean to gain better understanding of the scope of dispersal and construction and to advise best practices for t-RFMO management of dFADs.

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