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D.P.N.R. Deploys Fish Aggregating Devices In St. Thomas And St. Croix

Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dawn Henry announced on Friday that D.P.N.R.’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (D.F.W.) deployed a total of 2 fish aggregating devices (F.A.D.s) around each district on October 24 and 31 in St. Croix and St. Thomas respectively. FAD X22 was deployed around St. Croix approximately 8 miles west of Ham’s Bluff, according to D.P.N.R.  This buoy replaces a FAD that was previously deployed in the same location, known as “S FAD”. FAD T7 was deployed around St. Thomas approximately 14 miles north of Cricket Rock. Both FADs are surface buoys that contain radar reflectors and flashing lights to facilitate navigation. Deployment of the F.A.D.s 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, according to D.P.N.R., which made the announcement via press release. The F.A.D. program will also p...