Fish Aggregating Devices
Fisheries Aggregating Devices, or FADs, are strategically placed along the NSW coast during the warmer months.
FADs have a long history of use in NSW, and were first a resource for fishers with the introduction of the Recreational Fishing Fee in 2001.
Monitoring of the FADs by DPIRD has shown mahi mahi (also known as dolphinfish) is the most common species found around the FADs, representing 95% of the catch.
Fishers are encouraged to fish safely around FADs, including considering the code of conduct for FAD fishing. Report a lost or damaged FAD by contacting the program coordinator at DPIRD on (02) 4424 7421 or by email.
Find a FAD
Locations
Note: All coordinates are in WGS84 datum.
| FAD Location | Latitude (S) | Longitude (E) | Distance from nearest access point (km) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Tweed Heads | 28° 09.730' | 153° 41.000' | Tweed Heads – 13.0 | 64 |
| (2) Byron Bay | 28° 36.723' | 153° 42.758' | Brunswick Heads – 17.0 | 70 |
| (3) Ballina | 28° 54.430' | 153° 41.189' | Richmond River – 14.0 | 70 |
| (4) Evans Head | 29° 06.400' | 153° 36.200' | Evans Head – 17 | 50 |
| (5) Yamba | 29° 36.755' | 153° 29.187' | Clarence River – 23.0 | 70 |
| (6) Wooli | 29° 52.703' | 153° 26.117' | Wooli River – 16.0 | 65 |
| (7) Coffs Harbour | 30° 14.858' | 153° 21.605' | Coffs Harbour – 21.0 | 85 |
| (8) Nambucca | 30° 39.622' | 153° 08.934' | Nambucca River – 13.0 | 60 |
| (9) South West Rocks | MISSING | |||
| (10) Hat Head | MISSING | |||
| (11) Port Macquarie | 31° 25.030' | 153° 04.617' | Hastings River – 16 | 90 |
| (12) Laurieton | 31° 40.640' | 152° 55.850' | Camden Haven – 10 | 65 |
| (13) Crowdy Head | 31° 47.000' | 152° 55.200' | Crowdy Harbour – 17 | 79 |
| (14) Forster | 32° 13.211' | 152° 40.680' | Forster – 17 | 80 |
| (15) Port Stephens | 32° 46.967' | 152° 24.703' | Tomaree – 22.5 | 120 |
| (16) Port Stephens South | 32° 47.660' | 152° 24.100' | Tomaree - 22.5 | 130 |
| (17) Newcastle | 32° 55.333' | 151° 59.935' | Hunter River - 19 | 95 |
| (18) Swansea | 33° 10.005' | 151° 48.976' | Swansea Channel -17 | 110 |
| (19) Terrigal | 33° 30.388' | 151° 38.519' | Terrigal -19 | 115 |
| (20) Sydney North | 33° 35.700' | 151° 34.600' | Broken Bay - 22 | 105 |
| (20A) Sydney North | 33°35.700’ | 151° 34.930’ | Broken Bay - 22 | 115 |
| (21) Sydney Harbour | 33° 47.021' | 151° 22.700' | Port Jackson - 8.5 | 50 |
| (22) Sydney | MISSING | |||
| (23) Sydney East | 33° 59.316' | 151° 20.951' | Botany Bay - 9.5 | 98 |
| (23A) Sydney East | 33° 59.316' | 151° 20.626’ | Botany Bay - 9.5 | 98 |
| (24) Botany Bay Wide | 33° 59.672' | 151° 26.743' | Botany Bay - 18 | 140 |
| (24A) Botany Bay Wide | 33° 59.672' | 151° 27.068’ | Botany Bay - 18 | 140 |
| (25) Sydney South | MISSING | |||
| (25A) Sydney South | MISSING | |||
| (26) Wollongong | 34° 27.321' | 151° 04.308' | Port Kembla - 15 | 110 |
| (27) Shellharbour | 34° 33.720' | 151° 00.626' | Shellharbour - 13 | 110 |
| (28) Kiama | 34° 40.808' | 150° 59.400' | Kiama - 12 | 115 |
| (29) Jervis Bay | MISSING | |||
| (29A) Jervis Bay | Retrieved for winter maintenance | |||
| (30) Ulladulla | 35° 22.732' | 150° 41.776' | Ulladulla Harbour - 20 | 120 |
| (31) Batemans Bay | 35° 50.000' | 150° 22.630' | Batemans Bay - 22 | 120 |
| (32) Narooma | 36° 13.170' | 150° 17.450' | Wagonga Inlet - 14 | 120 |
| (33) Bermagui | 36° 25.894' | 150° 15.753' | Bermagui - 17 | 120 |
| (34) Far South Coast | 36° 59.008' | 150° 14.687 | Eden - 30 | 125 |
Open interactive map on Google Maps (you will need Javascript enabled)
The location of a FADs may fluctuate slightly depending on wind, swell and current direction. However, the Department relies heavily on anglers to inform us about missing FADs.
If you find that a FAD is not on its correct coordinates or is missing, please contact the FADs Program Coordinator as soon as possible to allow NSW DPI staff to investigate.
Phone: (02) 4424 7421
Email: fisheries.FADs@dpi.nsw.gov.au
The bait collection marker buoy is very popular with anglers and provides access to excellent bait grounds close to local fishing areas. The device is located in the relatively protected waters of Trial Bay and slimy mackerel and yellowtail scad (yakkas) can often be found in high numbers in the vicinity of the buoy. Please note that boats should not tie up to the buoy when collecting bait as this places excessive strain on the mooring line. Please deploy your anchor.
| FAD Location | Latitude (S) | Longitude (E) | Distance from nearest access point (km) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Bay | 30°52.760′S | 153°03.110′E | Macleay River | 10 |
