Caribbean FAD Tracking Project Dataset

• Main Authors: Kimak, Erin E, Kerstetter, David W, Pitchford, Thomas D
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: NSUWorks 2021
• Subjects: Drifting FAD; ICCAT recommendations; t-RFMO; Marine debris; ALDFG; Marine Biology; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/faelab/1; https://nsuworks.nova.edu/context/faelab/article/1000/type/native/viewcontent

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.