DRIFTING TUNA FISHING DEVICES REACHING PROTECTED MARINE AREAS GLOBALLY

HONOLULU, June 24 -- The University of Hawaii issued the following news release:

A new international study co-authored by a University ofHawaiʻiatManoaresearcher found that drifting devices used by the global tuna fishing industry are entering marine protected areas around the world, creating potential risks for wildlife and sensitive ocean habitats.

The study,published on June 17 inScience Advances, analyzed publicly available data on drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs)-floating rafts equipped withGPStechnology that help commercial fishing fleets locate tuna. Researchers estimated the devices have likely drifted through more than half of the world's marine protected areas by total area.

The findings are especially relevant fo...