The countries that make up the Parties to the Nauru Agreement have agreed to start charging one thousand US dollars for each Fish Aggregating Device that's set in PNA waters.
Ministers from the Parties to the Nauru Agreement at their annual meeting in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Joining them at the opening was new FSM President Peter Christian and Pohnpei Governor John Ehsa (front center, not in uniforms). Photo: Bill Jaynes
The trial, which begins in January, will see the fee charged for each vessel that sets an FAD per day.
Currently, FADs are managed at the level of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission with a four month closure, which is aimed at reducing the number of juvenile Bigeye, Yellowfin and other bycatch being caught.
But the PNA's executive officer, Dr Transform Aqorau, says small countries like Tokelau and Tuvalu find the closure to be a crippling burden as it reduces fisheries revenue.
Dr Aqorau says the new charge is a way to improve conservation and reduce FAD use, while proving much less of a financial burden for small countries.
