Good topic Matt.I really think the west coast would be a great place to scuttle a wreck or two. one in 15m for the divers. One at 65m to bring the marlin in nice and close

My point is that they are valuable to fisherman.

It seems that deploying them has been hap hazard as I understand they are not legally allowed to be deployed.

There are navigation concerns particularaly with commercial fishing lanes and in general for public navigation.
However the tools of mapping today allow infinite possibilities for navigation identification.

The benefits are somewhat selfish as a fisherman. But I also see the value to the charter fleets having zones of possible improved catchs which can also be good for there customers.

So I felt it could make an interesting discussion topic.

Who would look after and maintain them ?
Who would pay for them ?

Your best bet would be to just do it and def not say a word about it.
We had consistent hookups off the fad that was off n.p a couple of seasons ago.
Even a quadruple hookup.

Seasider wrote: Catchelot wrote: Well there was one off the chicks last year, not sure if its still there. I dont think its there anymore Al looking at these tracks from just one trawler.

^^ Yes they work.... so why not I say. Rags and Kawhia could definitely do with a decent one Id reckon purely for the lack of structure out there

The RMA makes it very difficult to legally deploy FAD's in NZ, almost certainly DOC and Maritime NZ would be opposed to them for various reasons. Who has the time and money to put into this, most clubs don't. There is no bucket of publicly sourced money to pay for them or their annual up keep.

maybe its time for saltwater licences in nz so we can have proper fads too

Tauranga SFC went through the motions to put one inside Mayor about 18 or so years ago and BOP Regional Council stopped the idea in its tracks. Club was going to install and maintain it.

livin4fish wrote: Tauranga SFC went through the motions to put one inside Mayor about 18 or so years ago and BOP Regional Council stopped the idea in its tracks. Club was going to install and maintain it.

Remember it is always the squeaky door that gets the oil. It may be a little tedious but shouldn't be too difficult to demonstrate to the powers that be that FADS are commonplace these days (just not in NZ). The impression I get from reading this post and others similar to it over the years is that funding is the major issue. Fishing clubs need sponsors. We have 6 FADS here in Perth. These are managed by the Perth Game Fishing Club and each has a separate sponsor. In addition other funding is also provided via revenue from recreational boat fishing licenses.