French Polynesia started it's Fish Aggregating Device programme in June 1981 with the positioning of the first buoy offshore of the main island of Tahiti. Since then, 251 structures have been installed throughout the 5 archipelagoes of this French overseas territory. The shape and size of the devices have evolved 8 times over this period, however, a single model has not yet been adopted. Trials are currently underway using lighter structures similar to those found in the Indian Ocean. The anchoring lines have progressively been modified through better knowledge of material and product availability, as well as better understanding of environmental constraints. The programme is entirely financed by the territorial government and managed by the public sector.... |