Updated evaluation of drifting FAD construction materials in the WCPO

The use of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) in the WCPO purse seine fishery faces many management and development challenges, including ecosystems impacts such as ghost fishing, tuna school fragmentation, marine pollution and damage to coral reef or other coastal habitats. To mitigate these impacts, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) requires the use of low entanglement risk dFADs and encourages the use of biodegradable materials in the construction of dFADs. This paper is an updated evaluation of dFAD construction materials, as recorded by observers over the last 10 years during deployments, fishing, servicing or visiting dFADs.