Drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) beaching in the Atlantic ocean: an estimate for the French purse seine fleet (2007-2015)

In recent years, the increasing deployments of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) have raised serious concerns for tropical tuna stocks, bycatch species and marine ecosystems. In particular, considerable attention has been drawn on the negative impacts of lost dFADs on coastal and pelagic ecosystems in terms of pollution and habitat destruction. Using GPS buoy tracks of Floating OBjects (FOBs) for French purse seiners operating in the Atlantic Ocean over 2007-2015, we identify potential dFAD beaching events, estimate the beaching risk of dFADs and determine the main dFAD beaching areas depending on the dFAD deployment season and location. The results we obtain are used to discuss potential mitigation solutions for dFAD beaching in the Atlantic Ocean including the use of biodegradable dFADs, limitations of dFAD deployment or use and the recovery of lost dFADs (at sea or on land).