FADs and SWMs
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Fish Aggregation Devices, or FADs, and Shallow Water Moorings (SWMs) have
been placed around Guam as aids to fishermen. FADs enhance access to Guam's
popular coastal pelagic fishing grounds. SWMs maintained at popular fishing
and recreational diving locations minimize anchor damage to reef
habitats.
Fish Aggregation Devices
Fish aggregating device (FAD) activity focused primarily on the reestablishment of FAD systems at existing locations (photos below; see report for map and design). The project also involved enhancement projects such as the production of FAD location maps for fishers and the improvement of the current FAD system design to extend the average time on station. FY00 activity under F-3-D consisted primarily of reestablishing FADs from existing sites. During FY00, 13 missing FADs were replaced on the west side of the island and 2 FADs (Asiga and Fadian) were discontinued on the east side.
Details, including map of locations and diagrams of devices.
Labeling one of the FAD floats.
Loading FAD anchor and float aboard the deployment boat.
Fish Aggregation Devices
Fish aggregating device (FAD) activity focused primarily on the reestablishment of FAD systems at existing locations (photos below; see report for map and design). The project also involved enhancement projects such as the production of FAD location maps for fishers and the improvement of the current FAD system design to extend the average time on station. FY00 activity under F-3-D consisted primarily of reestablishing FADs from existing sites. During FY00, 13 missing FADs were replaced on the west side of the island and 2 FADs (Asiga and Fadian) were discontinued on the east side.
Details, including map of locations and diagrams of devices.
Labeling one of the FAD floats.
Loading FAD anchor and float aboard the deployment boat.
Shallow Water Moorings
Moorings are intended to accommodate a mixture of user groups and a wide variety of vessel lengths, ranging from subsistence fishing in a small skiff, to scuba diving from the larger 40-foot tour-boats carrying 30-50 recreational divers. However, the majority of vessels utilizing the SWMs are expected to be in the 14 to 25-foot range. To ensure their availability and to prevent the mooring systems from being overloaded, decals have been affixed to the SWM buoys that indicate a 3-hour time limit, a maximum boat length of 50 feet, and a maximum weight of 35 gross tons.
Installation of thirty-four shallow water mooring systems (SWMs) began on March 4, 1999 and was completed on April 9, 1999.
Moorings are intended to accommodate a mixture of user groups and a wide variety of vessel lengths, ranging from subsistence fishing in a small skiff, to scuba diving from the larger 40-foot tour-boats carrying 30-50 recreational divers. However, the majority of vessels utilizing the SWMs are expected to be in the 14 to 25-foot range. To ensure their availability and to prevent the mooring systems from being overloaded, decals have been affixed to the SWM buoys that indicate a 3-hour time limit, a maximum boat length of 50 feet, and a maximum weight of 35 gross tons.
Installation of thirty-four shallow water mooring systems (SWMs) began on March 4, 1999 and was completed on April 9, 1999.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
