The Western Australian (WA) Government will invest a further $1.5 million to expand the Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), opening up exciting sport fishing prospects for anglers over the following three years.
Over the next six months, the State Government said 18 new FADs would be installed around the coast of WA as part of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Support Package.
“This additional $1.5 million investment by the McGowan Government to expand the Fish Aggregating Devices program will provide even more exciting opportunities for anglers up and down our coast,” Fisheries Minister Don Punch said.
According to the State Government, this is in addition to 22 FADs financed by the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund (RFIF), which puts recreational fishing licence payments to use.
Four FADs were released into the sea off Cape Naturaliste last week, with others to follow next month off Rockingham (2) and at several Perth metropolitan coast locations (6) between Rottnest and Two Rocks in water depths ranging from 130 to 350 metres.
Before the summer ends, 10 more FADs will be dropped off Albany (4), Jurien Bay (4), and Mandurah for the first time (2).
The most recent deployments come after Recfishwest conducted a highly regarded and productive State-wide FAD trial over the previous three years with RFIF funding.
FADs are made up of buoys or floats that are anchored to the ocean floor. A FAD’s main purpose is to draw in baitfish, which use it as a refuge and, in turn, draw in pelagic fish like mahi-mahi, tuna, and marlin.
“Switching your fish and targeting different species will allow other more vulnerable fish like dhufish and pink snapper time to recover to ensure there are plenty of fish for future generations to enjoy,” Minister Punch stated.
FADs are deployed annually in the southern parts of WA throughout the summer and retrieved before the arrival of winter storms. FADs are deployed in northern waters during the winter and retrieved before the start of the storm season.
 Government will invest a further $1.5 million to expand the Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), opening up exciting sport fishing prospects for anglers over the following three years.){kind=link}