Biodegradable FAD materials.
Biodegradable FAD materials. In addition to complying with the requirement to use non-entangling materials specified in paragraph (g) of this section, vessel owners and operators must ensure that the design and construction of any FAD to be deployed or redeployed in the IATTC Convention Area meets the following specifications:
(1) Beginning January 1, 2026, all FADs deployed or redeployed in the IATTC Convention Area must be designed and constructed according to one of the following sets of specifications:
(1) Beginning January 1, 2026, all FADs deployed or redeployed in the IATTC Convention Area must be designed and constructed according to one of the following sets of specifications:
(i) The surface part of the FAD must be made of fully biodegradable materials, except for flotation components (e.g., plastic buoys, foam, purse-seine corks), whereas the subsurface part of the FAD may contain non-biodegradable materials (e.g., synthetic raffia, metallic frame, plastic floats, nylon ropes); or
(ii) The subsurface part of the FAD must be made of fully biodegradable materials, whereas the surface part and any flotation components (e.g., plastic buoys, foam, purse-seine corks) of the FAD may contain non-biodegradable materials (e.g., synthetic raffia, metallic frame, plastic floats, nylon ropes); or
(iii) The surface part, except for flotation components (e.g., plastic buoys, foam, purse-seine corks), and subsurface part must be made of fully biodegradable materials. Non-biodegradable materials, in particular nylon ropes, can be used exclusively to strengthen the structure of the floating or underwater component of the FAD.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2029, all FADs deployed or redeployed in the IATTC Convention Area must be made of fully biodegradable materials, except for flotation components (e.g., plastic buoys, foam, purse seine corks), which may be made of non-biodegradable material. Non-biodegradable materials, in particular nylon ropes, can be used exclusively to strengthen the structure of the floating or underwater component of the FAD.
(3) Restrictions on biodegradable FAD materials set forth in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this section do not apply to satellite buoys that are attached to FADs in order to track them.