November 12, 2021 — Kaua‘i is set to receive new Fish Aggregation Devices when a state program receives its next round of federal funding.

FADs attract species including tuna, ono, mahimahi and types of billfish, to fishers’ benefit. Kaua‘i has two installed off its North and South Shores, respectively, but the island is missing another seven.

“Kaua‘i will be the first, next stop for replacing the FADs,” said researcher Kim Holland, of the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, on Wednesday. “We hope that’s going to happen before the end of the year.”

Kaua‘i will be allotted five new devices in the immediate future, with more planned.

The Hawai‘i FAD program, which totals 55 units when complete, has existed since 1980. It’s currently operated by HIMB, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the University of Hawai‘i and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources.

Read the full story at The Garden Island