Aitape gets fish device

A FISH Aggregating Device (FAD) has been launched in waters off Aitape, West Sepik province, to help increase stocks in the region.
The FAD was officially commissioned by Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch on Ali Island, outside Aitape, last Friday.
Pruaitch told more than 500 islanders of Ali and the surrounding Tumleo and Seleo islands the FAD was a device that drew fish to that particular area for breeding.
“The fish stocks will multiply and increase stocks for the people who will now add value to their catch,” he said.
The device was bought through the National Fisheries Authority, with Bill Wailau from NFA and Francis Suau from the MP’s office coordinating the project.
In response to the islanders’ concerns that the device had been floated in deep waters and isolating small canoes from accessing the site, Pruaitch said it was floated in open waters and not near traditional fishing grounds as it would attract unnecessary exploitation and illegal fishing that would target small fish as well as protected species.
He said technical advice was for the device to be floated in deep waters because, as a breeding ground, it would attract predators such as sharks into the area and NFA encouraged the use of dinghies and larger boats instead of canoes.
Pruaitch said the investment would improve the lifestyle and livelihood of the islanders who depended on the sea and fish as their main source of income.
He called on the people to work together especially in preservation of fish for markets to gain maximum benefit from the project.Ali Island ward councillor Godfried Bem thanked him for helping the islanders with their ‘fish garden’ but said that garden must be within the reach of small islanders.