Fish Aggregating Devices - FADs
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) deploys a series of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) each year along the NSW coast between the months of September and June. The FADs are funded by the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust and are installed to provide better fishing for recreational sport and game anglers by creating an alternative to traditional fishing grounds.
The NSW DPI FADs have become a popular target fishing location for many recreational fishers, possibly relieving fishing pressure on popular demersal fish species and locations by drawing seasonal pelagic fish from warm water delivered to the NSW coast by the East Australian Current (EAC).
Latest updates
Sign up for FAD email alerts
Anglers can now receive email alerts for all FAD related news. DPI will inform subscribers when FADs are reported missing, when they are replaced, and any other relevant information.
Simply send an email to fisheries.FADs@dpi.nsw.gov.au and you will be added to this service.
Season Open
The FADs season is now open. FADs have begun to be deployed from north to south, with all FADs scheduled to be in the water by mid December. Please check the locations page for the GPS coordinates of all deployed FADs.
For more information
For more information on this program funded by the Recreational Fishing Trust, to obtain small pelagic tags or to report a lost or damaged FAD please contact the program coordinator at NSW DPI on (02) 9527 8411. Email: fisheries.FADs@dpi.nsw.gov.au.