The Tasmanian Government deployed five FADs off Tasmania’s East Coast in February 2021, with another batch to be deployed in October 2023.
The first FADs were installed at at Coles Bay (2), Binalong Bay, Pirates Bay and Wineglass Bay.
The FADs were deployed on trial. They are removed in April to avoid whale migrations.
A survey was conducted to understand recreational fishing around the FADs.
There were 203 fish reported caught around the FADs by survey respondents.
The species most caught were striped tuna (56), salmon (49), kingfish (30), albacore tuna (14) and bluefin tuna (5).
There were 49 species unspecified.
The most common form of fishing reported was trolling, followed by lure casting, bait fishing and fly fishing.
A total of 72% of FAD fishers said yellowtail kingfish were their target species, followed by albacore (41%) and bluefin tuna (31%).
Some fishos targeted striped tuna and salmon, and 16% did not say they had a target species.
Many survey respondents said they there was a lack of natural structure to hold pelagic fish in the state’s north-west, and FADs should be deployed there.
Tasmania planned to install two artificial reefs in late 2022.
The reefs would be made from concrete modules.
These were to be deployed off Turners Beach near Ulverstone, and in Great Bay in the south’s D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
The reefs were expected to provide better recreational fishing in areas where little natural reef exists.
Snapper is a key species expected to be attracted to the new reefs.
Here is a list of recommended tackle for Tasmanian waters.
See FADs on the WFS Tasmania Map
Tasmanian Govt FADs and Reefs Page
Tasmanian fishing regulations
Tasmanian marine reserves
