Title

Caribbean FAD Tracking Project Dataset

Authors

Erin E. Kimak, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
David W. Kerstetter, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Thomas D. Pitchford, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionFollow

Date of Creation

2021

Document Type

Dataset

Abstract

This dataset encompasses crowd-sourced reports of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), particularly drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) from citizen scientists around the North Atlantic Ocean and greater Caribbean region. Data collection did not involve survey efforts, but rather keyword searches of affiliated terms such as "bamboo raft" and "satellite buoy", as well as collection of reports via email and Facebook. Although this dataset is incomplete and an under representation of the total number of ALDFG dFADs as a result of widespread nature of stranding locations, it provides a minimum estimate of the numbers of FADs stranding in coastal Caribbean regions and insight into the lack of sufficient ALDFG management and mitigation.

Recommended Citation

Kimak, Erin E.; Kerstetter, David W.; and Pitchford, Thomas D., "Caribbean FAD Tracking Project Dataset" (2021). Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology Lab Datasets. 1.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/faelab/1

Additional dataset details can be obtained from Dr. David Kerstetter, Fisheries and Avian Ecology Laboratory, Nova Southeastern University.