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HomeNewsLocal governmentDPNR Deploys Fish Aggregating Devices Around St. Thomas

DPNR Deploys Fish Aggregating Devices Around St. Thomas

The Division of Fish and Wildlife deployed two fish aggregating devices (FADs) around St. Thomas on Wednesday, June 15, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
The two new FADs are located 11 miles northwest of Cricket Rock and 13 miles north of Outer Brass Island, St. Thomas. Both FAD buoys are submerged about 50 feet below the water’s surface.
GPS Coordinates:
FAD # /Latitude /Longitude /Reference
T2 /18 degrees 33.839’ N /65 degrees 08.889’ W /11 miles NW of Cricket Rock
T5 /18 degrees /36.816’ N /64 degrees 59.138’ W /13 miles N of Outer Brass Island
This is in addition to the two previously deployed submerged FADs, which are located south of St. Croix. The GPS coordinates for the two St. Croix FADs are as follows:
FAD # /Latitude /Longitude /Reference
X10 /17 degrees 37.867’ N /64 degrees 47.725’ W /4 miles SE of Long Point
X15 /17 degrees 37.675 N /64 degrees 54.981’ W /3 miles S of Sandy Point
Deployment of the FADs will benefit the territory by shifting fishing pressure from heavily-fished inshore areas to offshore areas with more abundant populations of pelagic sport fish species such as tuna, dolphin and wahoo. The FAD program will also provide enhanced and improved fishing opportunities to recreational anglers in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife anticipates deploying additional FADs around the territory within the next few months. The GPS coordinates of these FADs will be announced upon deployment.
This project is 100 percent funded by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration funds. For more information, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 775-6762 on St. Thomas or 773-1082 on St. Croix.
 

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