fish aggregating device

Sophisticated fish aggregating devices can include their own moorings

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are man-made objects that are used to attract fish and facilitate their capture.  FADs can range from crude wooden rafts tied to navigational buoys to sophisticated anchored systems.

These devices are very effective at attracting fish that favor submerged objects.  Prey fish use them for shelter and predatory fish follow the prey fish.  As a result, whole fish communities can develop around them and make them reliable fishing grounds.  Pelagic fish, such as tunas, billfish, dolphin fish, sardines, and sharks, have all been known to frequent FADs.  While they are predominately used to increase fishing productivity, FADs have also been used to support research on fish behavior and used within fisheries management strategies.

A crude wooden raft can still serve to attract fish