81.4 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal governmentDPNR Deploys New Fish Aggregating Device

DPNR Deploys New Fish Aggregating Device

The Division of Fish and Wildlife deployed a new fish aggregating device (FAD) in the territory on Tuesday, Feb. 14, according to a press release from the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR).

FAD T12 was deployed south of St. Thomas, approximately eight miles south of Saba Island. The FAD is a yellow surface buoy that contains a radar reflector and flashing light to facilitate navigation.

The GPS coordinates are as follows:

FAD # — T12

Latitude — 18° 10.206’ N

Longitude – 64° 59.485’ W

Reference — 8 miles south of Saba, St. Thomas

Commissioner Dawn L. Henry reminds boaters that mooring vessels up to the FAD is not permitted because it weakens the buoy components and can cause the FAD to break away.

Deployment of the FAD 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. 

For locations of existing FADs or for more information, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 775-6762 on St. Thomas or 773-1082 on St. Croix, or visit the USVI FAD Program Facebook page: U.S. Virgin Islands Fish Aggregating Devices – FADs.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.