Learn & Explore/Programs & Initiatives/Sportfish Restoration Fund/Fish Aggregating Devices
Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)
Offshore devices designed to attract pelagic fish and improve access to sustainable fisheries.
Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)
What Are FADs?
FADs are floating or subsurface devices anchored to the ocean floor and deployed in deep offshore waters. Many pelagic fish naturally congregate around floating objects. FADs use this behavior to create predictable fishing locations offshore without altering nearshore reef habitat.
FADs are not artificial reefs and are managed separately from the State’s Artificial Reef Program.
Hawai‘i’s FAD Program
The State of Hawai‘i FAD program is operated by the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) at the University of Hawai‘i School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), in cooperation with the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR).
Key program information:
- Focuses on pelagic fisheries around the Main Hawaiian Islands
- Funded primarily through federal Sport Fish Restoration (Dingle‑Johnson) funds, administered by DAR
- Includes ongoing scientific oversight, monitoring, and maintenance
Hawai‘i was an early adopter of offshore FAD systems designed for deep‑water, high‑energy ocean conditions.
State FADs vs. Drifting dFADs
Not all FADs are the same.
State‑deployed FADs in Hawai‘i:
- Are anchored to the seafloor in deep offshore waters
- Are designed to remain in place, though they may occasionally break free during severe weather
- Are managed and maintained through the State’s FAD program
- Have limited entanglement risk compared to drifting devices
Drifting FADs (dFADs):
- Are not part of Hawai‘i’s FAD program
- Are commonly used in large‑scale purse‑seine fisheries outside of state waters
- May drift long distances when lost or abandoned
- Can become marine debris and navigation hazards if they enter nearshore waters
Private or commercial drifting FADs are not authorized in Hawai‘i state waters.
FAD Design and Placement
State FADs are:
- Anchored in deep offshore waters, well away from reefs
- Located approximately several to dozens of kilometers from shore
- Deployed in very deep water, often hundreds to thousands of meters
- Designed and monitored to withstand Hawai‘i’s ocean conditions
FADs are periodically inspected and replaced as part of normal program operations.
FAD Use Regulations
To protect FADs and ensure safe and equitable access, the following activities are prohibited:
- Attaching, mooring, or tying any boat or watercraft to a FAD
- Attaching any rigging, fishing gear, or structure to a FAD
- Boarding, defacing, damaging, removing, or destroying a FAD
Violations may result in enforcement action under Hawai‘i Administrative Rules and state law.
FAD Locations
DAR deploys and maintains FADs statewide around the Main Hawaiian Islands.
Download FAD Maps and Coordinates (PDF):
- O‘ahu
- Kaua‘i
- Maui County
- Hawai‘i Island
(File sizes typically range from approximately 484 KB to 620 KB.)
Program Benefits
- Improve access to pelagic fisheries
- Reduce fuel use and search time for fishermen
- Increase fishing efficiency offshore
- Distribute fishing effort away from nearshore reef habitats
- Support sustainable fisheries management
Related Program: Artificial Reefs
The Artificial Reef Program enhances nearshore and deepwater habitats by placing approved structures on the seafloor to create habitat for reef and bottomfish species. Artificial reefs are constructed from durable materials and are located at specific sites throughout the state.
Additional Resources
For research, monitoring, and educational information about FADs in Hawai‘i, visit the: University of Hawai‘i Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Program.
Contact
Kim Fuller
O‘ahu District Biologist
Division of Aquatic Resources
Phone: (808) 341‑2770
Email: kimberly.h.fuller@hawaii.gov