Fishing aggregating devices (FADs) : Policy Brief 2012

Fish aggregating devices, more commonly called FADs, are anchored or drifting objects that are put in the ocean to attract fish. Tuna and other fish gather around FADs, which makes it easier to find and catch them. Fish also aggregate under drifting logs and even whales, and rules on fishing around FADs often apply to all objects drifting on or near the sea surface, which attract fish.