Durability and effectiveness of coconut fronds from different growth distance from the sea as attractors for fish aggregating devices (FADs)

Abstract

Traditional fishermen use coconut fronds (Cocos nucifera) as attractors in fish aggregating devices (FADs) to attract and aggregate fish in the sea. The durability of coconut frond attractors has become an important criteria to minimize the maintenance cost and also to protect the amount of fish around FADs. However, information on how coconut trees from different locations affect the durability of coconut fronds and its impact on fish quantity is still lacking. In addition, the hypothesis explained that the existence of fish around floating objects (FADs) could be related to the habit of spawning aggregation in FADs.