Fish aggregating devices let artisanal fishers catch fish faster

What is it about?

We test fish aggregating devices deployed near to shore but beyond reefs, to see how they improve catch efficiency of artisanal fishers in Timor-Leste, and how quickly they pay for themselves in terms of return on investment. Results show they it depends where they are placed, but on average they work well and pay for themselves in augmented catch in ~5 months or less.

Featured Image

Photo by Rio Lecatompessy on Unsplash

Photo by Rio Lecatompessy on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Timor-Leste is a chronically undernourished nation, with especially high rates of child stunting. Fish are a key resource in combating this problem by providing much needed micronutrients. But, the fish catch of the country is currently too low to supply the demand. This research is part of a program exploring ways to increase the sustainable supply of fish for Timor-Leste, and develop approaches to empower communities to co-manage their coastal resources.