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Recfishwest deploys FADs off metro coast

RECFISHWEST has announced the hotly anticipated deployment of eight Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) off the Perth metro coast ready to fish providing boat medium to large boat fishers new sportfishing opportunities this summer and autumn!

FADs are large floats anchored to the seafloor in open water attracting baitfish schools, which in turn draw sizeable aggregations of pelagic species providing great sustainable fishing opportunities for boat fishers for fast-growing pelagic species.

The latest FADs deployment includes six devices approximately 30 nautical miles off the metro coast between Rottnest and Two Rocks in water depths between 130m-150m.  In addition, the Mangles Bay Fishing Club FAD and Compleat Angler Rockingham FAD are now in position and ready for action.

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said: “We’re really pleased we’ve been able to deploy FADs in the metro in time for late summer and autumn – we know from the wealth of positive feedback we have received how popular these devices are with metro-based fishers. 

“The metro devices are a key component for State-wide FADs program which we now have an ongoing funding commitment from the State Government to support, which is a first for WA.

The newly positioned devices complement the existing six Perth Game Fishing FADs west of Rottnest and bring the total of FADs metro fishers can target to 14.

Following on from the success of the three-year trial FADs program initiated and run by Recfishwest, the State Government committed in December to funding an expanded, ongoing State-wide FADs program.

Since then, Recfishwest has been working hard to deploy FADs in the southern half of the State as quickly as possible with devices deployed off Cape Naturaliste in January for South-West boat fishers to enjoy.

FADs are still planned for Albany and Geraldton and for the first time off Mandurah and Jurien Bay in the south of the state.   

Recfishwest is also in talks with the Government over the FAD program rollout for the northern parts of the State.  

Fishers can find out more about the FADs and their coordinates on the Recfishwest FADs web page at recfishwest.org.au/fads.

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