“FAD bae i mekem fisherman oli save go stret long ples blong fish.”

Fishermen in Torba Province will soon benefit from new Fish Aggregating Devices, commonly known as FADs, aimed at improving fishing access and reducing fuel costs.

The Department of Fisheries has approved three FAD deployment sites this year for the islands of Gaua, Motalava, and Toga in the Torres group.

Torba Fisheries Officer Herve Hopkine said the project is funded by the government at a total cost of around VT3 million.

“The government invested around VT3 million to deploy one FAD in Gaua, one in Motalava, and one in Toga.”

He said the devices are expected to bring major benefits to local fishermen and communities.

“Fishermen will no longer waste fuel and time searching for fish. They can now go directly to fishing areas and return with their catch.”

Authorities also believe the increased fishing activity will improve local food supply and make fish more available to communities.

Fisherman Alesta Atkins welcomed the support, saying the devices would help reduce operational costs.

“Fuel prices are high now, so these FADs help us go straight to where the fish are.”

The Fisheries Department is reminding all fishermen using the devices to submit fishing data as required.

Officials also stressed that boats, canoes, and divers are not allowed to tie directly onto the FAD structures.