Éditeur(s) : EDP Sciences
Résumé : From April 2003 to April 2004 monthly sea surveys were conducted around 2 fish aggregating devices (FADs) moored at 2000 and 2500 m depth in Martinique (Lesser Antilles). The use of a dual frequency splitbeam echosounder combined with an underwater camera and fishing methods allowed assessment of average space and time distribution of pelagic fish aggregated beneath the FADs, as well as identification of their overall size and species composition. At daytime, 4 fish aggregations were identified at each FAD, representing 4 distinct types: i) an aggregation of small juvenile tuna (mean fork length, FL: 30 cm) observed very close to the surface in 25% of daytime periods; ii) a small surface aggregation dominated by carangids, Caranx crysos, present in 65% of daytime periods; iii) a large sub-surface aggregation observed during all daytime periods: this aggregation appeared to be primarily comprised of 58 cm FL blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus), mixed with yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) tunas of the same size; and iv) sub-surface scattered large predators (mainly blue marlin, Makaira nigricans) present in 10% of daytime periods. A smaller sub-surface aggregation comprised of medium tuna mixed with "extranatants" (fishes which remain within 10 to 50 m of a FAD) was observed in 75% of night-time periods, whereas unidentified scattered fishes were detected from 70 to 400 m depth. The low daytime vulnerability of medium sub-surface tunas to applied line techniques leads us to assume that their feeding motivation was low during daytime. These tunas could preferentially feed on mesopelagic organisms during night-time and transition periods around Martinican moored FADs. Local fishermen mainly targeted the large scattered predators using very small tunas as living bait. The sub-surface tuna aggregation hence appeared to be currently unexploited by local fisheries, though it represented the large majority of the pelagic biomass around the moored FADs.
Des campagnes scientifiques mensuelles ont été menées autour de 2 dispositifs de concentration de poissons ancrés à 2000-2500 m de profondeur, en Martinique d'avril 2003 à avril 2004. L'utilisation combinée d'un échosondeur monofaisceau multifréquence, d'une caméra vidéo sous-marine et de techniques de pêche conventionnelles a permis de déterminer la distribution spatio-temporelle moyenne des poissons agrégés autour des DCP ancrés ainsi que la composition générale des agrégations. Les techniques de vidéo sous-marine ont joué un rôle majeur dans l'identification des espèces et l'observation de leur comportement. De jour; quatre types d'agrégations ont été définis : i) une agrégation de thonidés juvéniles (longueur à la fourche, LF, moyenne : 30 cm) observée très près de la surface durant 25 % des périodes diurnes échantillonnées ii) une petite agrégation composée essentiellement de Caranx crysos présente en surface lors de 65 % des phases diurnes iii) une grande agrégation de thons observée en sub-surface lors de toutes les phases diurnes; cette agrégation était constituée essentiellement de thons noirs (Thunnus atlanticus) de 58 cm LF, associés de façon saisonnière à des albacores (Thunnus albacares) et des listaos (Katsuwonus pelamis) de taille similaire iv) des grands prédateurs assez dispersés (essentiellement le marlin bleu, Makaira nigricans), observés lors de 10 % des phases diurnes. Une agrégation de sub-surface, aux dimensions plus réduites et composée de thons et "d'extranatants" (poissons restant à distance de 10 à 50 m du DCP) a été observée lors de 75 % des périodes nocturnes; ainsi que des organismes non-identifiés dispersés entre 70 et 400 m de profondeur. La faible vulnérabilité diurne des thons de sub-surface aux techniques de ligne utilisées indique qu'ils ne se nourrissent pas activement durant la journée. Ces poissons pourraient se nourrir préférentiellement d'organismes mésopélagiques durant les phases de transition et nocturnes autour des DCP ancrés. La pêcherie artisanale martiniquaise n'exploite qu'une faible part des ressources agrégées autour des DCP ancrés. Les principales espèces-cibles sont les grands prédateurs capturés de jour en utilisant des thonidés juvéniles comme appât vivant. L'agrégation de thons de sub-surface représente la grande majorité de la biomasse autour des DCP mais elle est quasiment inexploitée par les pêcheries locales.
Aquatic Living Resources (0990-7440) (EDP Sciences), 2007-10 , Vol. 20 , N. 4 , P. 357-366

Droits : EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD 2007
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2007/publication-3634.pdf
DOI:10.1051/alr:2008004
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3634/

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999
Résumé : Tuna world fisheries yield 3 million tons per year; the increase rate of whole production is constant and sustained since 30 years. This original figure for marine fisheries is due to enlargement of tuna fleets and fishing grounds over all the world ocean, the continuous increase of tuna fishing power by in board equipment and remote sensing equipment for searching and scouting (on board, aircraft, satellite, telecommunication_). During the last 20 years, the log-associated tuna fishing has contributed to the local individual and tuna fleets efficiency and fishing power either for large industrial tuna seiners by radio-equipped buoys on natural (debris) or artificial man-made logs. The same trend is noted for numerous artisanal tuna and large pelagic coastal fisheries on moored fishing aggregating devices and networks. The first part of the paper is a review of data and results to assess and rank the "Surfaces prospected by in board tuna seiners and associated aircraft and satellite technics" (visual, radar, sar-radar and satellite altimetry sensors). The final objective is the comparison with the surfaces and volumes associated to fads. Since 20 years, tuna ecology and behaviour data from ultrasonic tagging (short-term depth/distance/time migration around logs and fads) are used for fishing of tuna associated with floating objects, namely fads. The second part of this paper is an "Assessment of fad's aggregating associated surface and volume" linked with oceanographic data: large oceanic geostrophic current and observed drift speed of radio-equipped fads in the Indian Ocean. Using the available data on fads, tuna fishing technology linked with oceanographic and biological data results from ultrasonic tuna tracking experiments, the paper is an attempt to identify and place the fads technology in the scale of tuna fishing devices as a contribution to the increase of tuna fishing power either individual tuna boat or tuna fleets.Original Abstract: La production mondiale des pecheries thonieres est actuellement de l'ordre de 3 millions de tonnes par an et conserve depuis pres de 50 ans un taux de croissance annuel soutenu. Cette croissance, exceptionnelle pour un secteur des peches maritimes, est due a plusieurs causes: accroissement des effectifs et des puissances de peche des grandes flottes thonieres industrielles oceaniques qui exploitent les ressources thonieres de l'ocean mondial et le developpement conjoint de nouvelles techniques de peche et de nouvelles technologies d'aide a la peche, telles que les dispositifs de concentration de poissons (DCP). L'accroissement de la puissance individuelle des navires est du au developpement de la construction navale (mecanisation, propulsion, hydraulique, conservation et traitement a borda) et a l'utilisation d'une gamme diversifiee d'aides a la peche : navigation, telecommunication, localisation des zones favorables, detection visuelle ou radiometrique assistee par equipement a bord, en helicoptere et avion, detection acoustique, detection par radar de bord, radar-avion ou, a terme, antenne SAR sur satellite. Plus recemment, soit depuis 20 ans, les caracteristiques du comportement, migration de court terme, agregation et concentration des poissons pelagiques, fixation et retention des bancs de thons, sont utilisees, par les dispositifs de concentration de poissons (DCP) ancres ou derivants. Cette contribution a pour objectif de situer et placer les DCP fixes ou derivants sur cet ensemble de techniques d'aide a la peche thoniere. Les donnees pour cet essai de classement sont d'ordres biologique, ethologique et comportementaux (amplitude de deplacement des thons et dimension de la sphere d'attraction d'un DCP) et d'ordres environnemental et oceanographique : masse d'eau concernee par un DCP dans une large veine de courant oceanique ou cotier. On tente de quantifier et d'ordonner les surfaces et les volumes prospectes par les thoniers et particulierement les volumes et masses d'eau exploites par les thoniers utilisant des DCP. Ce classement des DCP dans la serie des dispositifs d'aide a la peche thoniere facilitera l'appreciation de leur contribution a l'augmentation des puissances de peche des thoniers.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15297/12656.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15297/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : Sea cruises were conducted for 57 days over 16 months to characterise pelagic fish aggregations around 2 moored fish aggregating devices (FADs) in Martinique (Lesser Antilles). Echosounder surveys run in a star pattern were used in conjunction with obliquely beamed sonar observations. An echo-integration-by-shoal algorithm was implemented to isolate pelagic fish shoals from sound scattering layers and to compute mean morphometric, positional and density parameters. Tree regressions were used to select and classify pelagic fish Target Strengths (TS), with reference to their spatial and temporal characteristics. The main type of pelagic fish aggregation was a large sub-surface aggregation. It was observed during all daytime periods within a radius of 400 m of the FAD. A smaller type of aggregation was observed closer to the surface and to the FAD in 65% of daytime periods. Large scattered fish were observed in 16% of daytime periods. At night, a medium-sized aggregation was detected in the sub-surface in 75% of night-time periods. The sizes of the fish inside the aggregations (determined from TS values) were lower in the small near-surface aggregation than in the large sub-surface aggregation. Mean packing densities of sub-surface medium fish and near-surface small fish aggregations (determined from TS and shoal acoustic density) were respectively 0.2 fish per m3 and 1.3 fish per m3. The acoustic methodology and results are discussed with reference to the characteristics and performance of the echosounder and to the spatial structure of pelagic fish aggregations around moored FADs in Martinique.
Fisheries Research (0165-7836) (Elsevier), 2006-06 , Vol. 82 , N. 1-3 , P. 162-175

Droits : Elsevier 2006
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-1734.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2006.06.025
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1734/

Résumé : This document is mainly a catalogue of the different types of fishing gears noticed all around Martinique during a ten years period (1985-1994)The technical description of these gears and their plans are presented, according to FAO standards. Besides these descriptions, the origins of the introduction in Martinique of the main categories of gears are related .Moreover,, the operating conditions of each fishing gear as well as the targeted species are dealt with. In addition, recent gears and techniques such as fishing aggregating devices (FADs) and associated fishing techniques are described. These ones appeared in Guadeloupe and Martinique during the last eighties years. Furthermore, the main characteristics of the martinican fishing fleet structure are mentioned at the beginning of this work, with a special attention to dug-out canoes, because of their progressive disappearance.
Cet ouvrage est essentiellement un catalogue des différents types d'engins de pêche observés le long du littoral de la Martinique, entre 1985 et 1994. Les caractéristiques techniques de ces: engins et leurs plans sont présentés selon les normes FAO. En dehors de ces descriptions, on s'est à chaque fois que possible attaché à rappeler l'introduction à la Martinique des grandes catégories d'engins de pêche. En outre, les conditions pratiques de mise en oeuvre de chaque engin ainsi que les principales espèces recherchées sont précisées au mieux. Sont également décrits des engins et techniques récents,tels que les dispositifs de concentration de poissons (DCP) et des techniques de pèche qui leur sont associées, apparues dans les eaux de la Guadeloupe et de la Martinique à la fin des années quatre vingt. Enfin, les grands traits de la structure de la flottille de pêche martiniquaise sont rappelés en début d'ouvrage, avec un développement particulier pour les gommiers, en raison de leur disparition progressive.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/1997/rapport-1120.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1120/

Éditeur(s) : Kluwer
Résumé : We reviewed the literature concerning fish aggregation devices (FADs) to determine areas of relative research deficiency. Using specific searches of the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts ( ASFA) database from 1978 to December 2003 and a classical search of the pre-1978 literature, we collected 407 references on FADs. Publications before 1980 were predominantly peer-reviewed, although non-peer reviewed literature has dominated since 1980, due to the numerous technical reports produced as FADs became more widely used in artisinal and large-scale industrial. sheries in the 1980s. Most studies of the ecology of FAD-associated fish were descriptive, with few mensurative experimental studies and even fewer manipulative experimental studies that tested specific hypotheses, due to inherent difficulties in working in the open ocean on objects that are temporary in space and time. Research on the ecology of FAD-associated fish has focused on moored FADs, despite the major FAD-based. sheries being around drifting FADs. Publications presenting information on moored FADs outnumbered papers on drifting FADs by a ratio of 3.5: 1. We recommend that greater emphasis be placed by. sheries scientists and funding agencies on researching drifting FADs to provide better information for management of large-scale FAD-based industrial. sheries. Future research should focus on determining the patterns of use of drifting FADs by pelagic species, the underlying sensory processes of attraction and the ecological consequences for individual fish stocks and the wider pelagic ecosystem of the use of FADs as. sheries enhancement tools.
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries (0960-3166) (Kluwer), 2004-03 , Vol. 14 , N. 1 , P. 21-42

Droits : 2004 Springer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2004/publication-721.pdf
DOI:10.1007/s11160-004-3151-x
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/721/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : Total lipid content and lipid class composition were analyzed in gonads, liver and white muscle of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) throughout ovary development to understand its reproductive allocation strategy and to assess the relation between female condition and reproduction. A total of 112 females were collected onboard purse-seiner in the Western Indian Ocean from January to March 2009, from June to July 2009, and from April to May 2010. Gonads were characterized by highly variable total lipid contents ranging from 5 to 27 μg mg−1 of wet weight (ww) with a predominance of neutral lipids, mainly triacylglycerols (TAG) and sterol- and wax-esters. The different lipid classes in gonads described an accumulative pattern through the maturity process from immature to hydration phase. Total lipid content in liver varied from 10 to 21 μg mg−1 ww, and serves as fuel for yellowfin tuna reproduction. TAG and phospholipid deposits became depleted as the ovary developed, suggesting a transfer of lipids directly from liver to the oocytes during vitellogenesis. In contrast, muscle total lipid content was low and constant throughout ovarian development (2.5–6 μg mg−1 ww). Hence, yellowfin tuna can be defined as an income-capital breeder species for which the cost of reproduction depends mainly on concurrent energy income from feeding and only little on stored lipids. Besides, no significant relationship between gonad lipid composition and fecundity was found in females able to spawn. Finally, the influence of yellowfin tuna aggregation behaviour on reproductive female condition has been investigated: gonad total lipid contents were higher in females caught in free-swimming schools than in females caught under fish aggregating devices (FADs). However, these results did not clarify whether the influence of FADs on associated yellowfin tuna affects their reproductive capacity.
Fisheries Research (0165-7836) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2014-12 , Vol. 160 , P. 50-59

Droits : 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00171/28266/28075.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.fishres.2013.12.010
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00171/28266/

Éditeur(s) : Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Rennes (ENSAR)
Résumé : Artificial Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are known to concentrate tropical tunas. This aggregative behaviour drastically increases the vulnerability of these species to fishing. Alternatively, FADs can be used as oceanic observatories to study the aggregative behaviour of large pelagic fish. We conducted sea surveys in Martinique (Lesser Antilles) to i) establish a typology of the pelagic fish aggregations found around moored FADs ii) study their relations with their biotic and abiotic environment and the local fishery. The mean biomass of large pelagic fish aggregations was also estimated to provide scientific inputs to achieve a sustainable management of the moored FAD fishery. The first part presents the background of the study. We introduce the regional pelagic ecosystem, the aggregative behaviour of pelagic fish around FADs and the Martinican moored FAD fishery. The second part begins with a presentation of the conceptual framework of the study: the hierarchy theory. Observation scales and survey methodology are therefore described. Repeated echosounder surveys run in a star pattern were conducted around 2 moored FADs, in combination with underwater video observations, classical fishing experiments and CTD profiles. In the third part, the elements of the [moored FAD ¿ pelagic fish - environment - fishing] system and their interactions are numerically characterised in the vertical plane. The main type of pelagic fish aggregation was a large aggregation distributed in sub-surface (40-100 m) within a radius of 400 m of the FAD. This aggregation was mostly made of 60 cm FL blackfin tunas (Thunnus atlanticus). It appeared at sunrise and mostly spread away in the late afternoon. It was observed during all daytime surveys. The average density and the vertical structure of the micronektonic sound scattering layers (SSLs) were assessed locally around a FAD for 48h cycles. These SSLs descriptors showed positive correlation with the size and the abundance of the sub-surface tuna aggregation. Whereas this aggregation accounted for about 95% of the total biomass aggregated around a moored FAD, it was nearly unexploited by the local commercial fishermen. The fourth part focuses on the sub-surface tuna aggregation. A high variability of the spatial distribution of the aggregation was evidenced in the horizontal plane at daily, day to day and monthly temporal scales. These variations were related to fluctuations of the global abundance of the aggregation. The daytime average density of sub-surface tuna was modelled as a function of the distance to FAD, within an advection-diffusion framework. Based on these results, a universal kriging model was designed to assess the mean maximum daily biomass of the sub-surface tuna aggregation. This mean biomass estimate yielded 11 tons with an estimation error of 26%. To conclude, we present a hierarchical organization in space and time of a sub-surface tuna population distributed within a network of moored FADs, from micro to meso-scale. We suggest that the spatial distribution of tunas can be explained from fine to coarse-scales by behavioural processes (self-organization, feeding, aggregative behaviour) whereas their spatial distribution is mainly forced by environmental processes at broader scales.
L'utilisation de Dispositifs de Concentration de Poissons permet de provoquer la formation de larges agrégations de thonidés autour de dispositifs artificiels, ce qui augmente considérablement la vulnérabilité de ces ressources vis-à-vis de l'exploitation halieutique. Les DCP peuvent également être utilisés en tant qu'observatoires océaniques, afin d'étudier le comportement agrégatif du macronecton pélagique. Nous avons ainsi réalisé des observations autour de DCP ancrés en Martinique, afin de définir une typologie des agrégations de macronecton et de étudier leurs relations avec leur environnement biotique, abiotique et l'exploitation halieutique locale. Nous avons ensuite estimé la biomasse moyenne de macronecton agrégé autour d'un DCP ancré, afin de fournir des éléments scientifiques nécessaires à une gestion durable de ces ressources. La première partie présente le contexte de l'étude i.e. l'écosystème pélagique régional, le phénomène d'agrégation du macronecton autour des DCP et la pêche associée aux DCP ancrés en Martinique. La deuxième partie introduit la théorie de la hiérarchie qui a fourni le cadre conceptuel de l'étude et présente les échelles et méthodes d'observation. Le principal outil d'observation est un échosondeur scientifique, mis en oeuvre le long de parcours en étoile autour du DCP. Les prospections acoustiques ont été combinées à des observations vidéo sous marines, des pêches expérimentales et un suivi in-situ de l'environnement abiotique. La troisième partie présente une typologie des éléments constituant le système [DCP ancré - macronecton - environnement - pêche] dans le plan vertical et précise leurs interactions. Le type d'agrégation de macronecton dominant est une grande agrégation composée d'une majorité de thons noirs (Thunnus atlanticus) de taille moyenne (60 cm) distribuée en sub-surface (40-100 m), dans un rayon de 300 m autour de la tête des DCP. Cette agrégation se forme au lever du soleil et se disperse presque totalement dans l'après midi. Elle a été observée de jour lors de toutes les campagnes. Une corrélation positive entre la densité et la structure moyenne des couches micronectoniques diurnes évaluée localement autour du DCP au cours de 48 h et les dimensions et l'énergie acoustique de l'agrégation de thons de subs-surface a été mise en évidence. Malgré le fait que cette agrégation représente en moyenne 95 % de l'énergie acoustique du macronecton autour des DCP, elle est presque inexploitée par les pêcheurs artisans locaux. La quatrième partie met en évidence les fortes variations conjointes de la distribution spatiale dans le plan horizontal de la densité de l'agrégation de thons de sub-surface et de son abondance globale. Ces variations ont été observées au cours du cycle nycthéméral et aux échelles inter-journalières et mensuelles. La distribution spatiale moyenne de la densité diurne de l'agrégation en fonction de la distance au centre de gravité de l'agrégation est cependant très stable et peut être modélisée au moyen d'une équation d'advection-diffusion. Un modèle de krigeage universel, utilisant les résultats du modèle d'advection-diffusion, a permis d'évaluer la biomasse maximale journalière moyenne de l'agrégation de thons de sub-surface à une dizaine de tonnes, avec un coefficient de variation d'estimation de 26%. Nous proposons une représentation hiérarchique synthétique de la distribution spatiale d'une sous-population de thons dans un réseau de DCP ancrés de la micro à la méso-échelle. Nous suggérons que la distribution spatiale des thons est déterminée principalement à l'échelle fine (100m-1km) et à l'échelle grossière (1-10 km) par des processus comportementaux (auto-organisation, agrégation, nutrition) et par des processus environnementaux à échelle plus large.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/these-1735.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/sup-1735.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1735/

Éditeur(s) : NRC
Résumé : Universal kriging was used to model the spatio-temporal variability in the acoustic density of tuna aggregations recorded during star echosounding surveys around moored fish aggregating devices (FADs) in Martinique (Lesser Antilles). The large-scale deterministic drift in the tuna spatial distribution was modeled using an advection-diffusion equation applied to animal grouping. Residuals from the drift were modeled as a random component with small-scale spatial correlation. An estimation variance formula was derived from this deterministic-statistical mixed model to assess the mean precision of density estimates of daytime tuna aggregation. The mean relative error obtained with our star design for daytime surveys was 24%. The methodology was applied to estimate daily maxima of tuna biomass around moored FADs during four monthly sea cruises. The daily peak of tuna biomass aggregated around moored FADs was 9 t on average (standard deviation = 4). Estimation variances for different survey designs were compared for optimizing sampling strategy.
La distribution spatiale d'agrégations de thons autour de dispositifs de concentration de poissons (DCP) ancrés a été étudiée en Martinique (Petites Antilles) au moyen de parcours acoustiques en étoile. Les densités acoustiques géoréférencées attribuées aux thons ont été analysées à l'aide d'un modèle de krigeage universel. Une tendance à large échelle a été identifiée dans la distribution spatiale des thons. Cette tendance a été modélisée de façon déterministe au moyen d'une équation d'advection–diffusion appliquée aux groupes d'animaux. Les résidus de la tendance ont été modélisés comme une composante aléatoire du modèle, spatialement corrélée à faible échelle. De ce modèle, qui contenant une composante déterministe et une composante statistique, a été déduite une formule permettant de calculer la variance d'estimation de la densité diurne moyenne de l'agrégation de thons autour des DCP. L'erreur relative moyenne commise sur l'estimation de la densité de thons lors d'un parcours en étoile diurne a été estimée à 24 %. Cette méthode a été appliquée afin d'estimer les maxima journaliers de biomasse de l'agrégation de thons observés lors de quatre campagnes en mer mensuelles successives autour des DCP ancrés. La biomasse maximale de thons agrégée autour des DCP ancrés durant une phase diurne était en moyenne de 9 t (écart type : 4). Les variances d'estimation obtenues avec différents parcours acoustiques ont été comparées afin d'optimiser la stratégie d'échantillonnage.
Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences (0706-652X) (NRC), 2008-06 , Vol. 65 , N. 6 , P. 1193-1205

Droits : 2008 National Research Council Canada
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-4559.pdf
DOI:10.1139/F08-050
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/4559/

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999 15-19 octobre 1999
Résumé : The Mediterranean small-scale fleet is highly adaptive, showing a dynamic fishing intensity and strategy, and exploiting seasonal abundant resources. In this area, the aggregatory behaviour under floats of juvenile fish has been used since ancient times to exploit oceanic migratory species such as dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), using Fish Aggregating anchored Devices (fads). A total of 2 300 boats are engaged in this fishery from August to December, the main fishing areas being those around Malta, Tunisia, Sicily and Majorca. The fads ( arrow right m2) are made of different cheap floating materials, and are moored in fixed places, ranging from shore waters to areas 60 miles off the coast (1 500 m depth). Each boat deploys an average of 20 to 100 fads. The gears used are special surrounding nets without purse line, and traditional purse seine nets. The fishery exploits young-of-the-year dolphinfish (<6 months old), originated by a pre-spawning migration of adults from Atlantic waters. Their catches show high annual and monthly variability, depending on the recruitment and the accessibility of recruits to the fishery. Pilotfish (Naucrates ductor) and greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) are also exploited in this fishery as by-catch. A total of about 1 000 metric tons of dolphinfish are yearly caught mainly in September-October. The fads are historically laid in August. Recently, the fads fishing period has increased in Sicily, and the fads are laid in July, so as to catch pilotfish and greater amberjak juveniles. In recent years, the interest for this fishing method and the study of these fisheries has increased in the Mediterranean. Though the market and its seasonality limit this exploitation, this fishery is economically profitable with good revenue.

Droits : Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15286/12672.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15286/

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999
Résumé : Since 1980 a programme of Fish Aggregation Device (fad) deployment has been carried out in the Cook Islands. Government has deployed all fads between 1 to 3 nautical miles from shore at depths ranging from 800 to 1,600 metres. The fads have undergone various designs with varying degrees of success. The average fad lifespan during the early 1980s was nine months; however, it increased to 18 months, with some fads in operation in excess of 30 months. Each fad cost between nz$ 7,000 and nz$ 9,000 to build and deploy. Since their introduction, fad have been widely accepted as a very effective apparatus in coastal small-scale fishing activities, specifically for pelagic species. Judging by the progressive behaviour of local fishing communities, there is sufficient reason to believe that fads have created productive fishing zones for Cook Islands fishermen to enable them to supply the ever-increasing local market for fresh fish. fads are an integral part of local fishing communities and provide a reasonable form of income to the increasing fishing community.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15323/12654.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15323/

Éditeur(s) : Université Paris 6
Résumé : The aggregative behaviour of the dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is studied in order to improve our knowledge of the mechanism involved in the association of this species with the floating objects and to evaluate its potential impact in term of exploitation, targeted or not. This PhD thesis is composed of four chapters. Through an extensive analyze of the literature, the first chapter takes stock of the present knowledge on the FADs, on the aggregative behaviour of pelagic fish and on the dolphinfish. The second chapter deals specifically with the aggregative behaviour of the dolphinfish by the way of acoustic tagging of fish carry out during offshore campaigns around drifting FADs. The feeding habits of the dolphinfish around FADs are the main purpose of the third chapter. It is studied by the way of two complementary methods : stomach contains analysis of dolphinfish aggregated around several types of floating objects and underwater inventory of the marine fauna under these floating objects. Finally, the fourth and last chapter sums all the results and suggests a theory to explain the aggregative behaviour of the dolphinfish. We also try to estimate the possible consequences of this behaviour on the abundance and on the distribution of this species on a larger scale.
Le comportement agrégatif de la dorade coryphène (Coryphaena hippurus) est étudié dans le but de mieux comprendre le déterminisme de l'association de cette espèce avec les objets flottants et d'en évaluer les impacts potentiels en terme de sensibilité à l'exploitation halieutique, qu'elle soit ciblée ou non. Ce mémoire de thèse est organisé en quatre chapitres. A travers une analyse approfondie de la bibliographie, le premier chapitre présente un bilan des connaissances actuelles sur les DCP, l'agrégation des poissons pélagiques et la dorade coryphène. Le second chapitre traite plus spécifiquement du comportement agrégatif de la dorade coryphène. Il a été abordé à l'aide de marquages électroniques réalisés au cours de campagnes hauturières autour de DCP dérivants. Le comportement trophique de la dorade coryphène fait l'objet du troisième chapitre. Il est abordé par l'utilisation conjointe de deux méthodes d'investigation : l'analyse des contenus stomacaux de dorades coryphènes agrégées sous divers types d'objets flottants et la réalisation d'inventaires faunistiques sous-marins autour de ces objets flottants. Enfin, le quatrième et dernier chapitre synthétise l'ensemble des résultats obtenus, propose une théorie du comportement agrégatif de la dorade coryphène et tente d'évaluer les conséquences possibles de ce comportement sur la distribution et l'abondance de l'espèce à grande échelle.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2004/these-323.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/323/

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999
Résumé : French Polynesia started it's Fish Aggregating Device programme in June 1981 with the positioning of the first buoy offshore of the main island of Tahiti. Since then, 251 structures have been installed throughout the 5 archipelagoes of this French overseas territory. The shape and size of the devices have evolved 8 times over this period, however, a single model has not yet been adopted. Trials are currently underway using lighter structures similar to those found in the Indian Ocean. The anchoring lines have progressively been modified through better knowledge of material and product availability, as well as better understanding of environmental constraints. The programme is entirely financed by the territorial government and managed by the public sector. This ongoing technical assistance, aimed towards the local small-scale coastal fishery, is considered an important factor to maintaining this activity alive. Up until 1997, this economical support policy of outer island populations far from the metropolis central town, along with incidental fishing methods around FADs, have given mitigated results without nevertheless putting into cause this programme. The use of 'drifting handlines' retained at the surface by small indicator floats are one of the contributing factors to the degradation of the anchor lines. It is now commonly accepted that a new fishing strategy must be adopted so that professional coastal fishermen become more aware with regards to an expensive work tool due to local bathymetric conditions, so that fishing effort is increased through the development of better adapted fishing techniques, and finally so that community spirit rules over individualism.Original Abstract: Le programme d'ancrage de DCP en Polynesie francaise a vu le jour en juin 1981 avec l'implantation d'un premier dispositif au large des cotes de Tahiti. Depuis cette date, ce sont 251 structures qui ont ete installees dans les cinq archipels de ce pays d'outre-mer. La forme et la taille des bouees ont evolue huit fois sans etre definitivement arretees a un seul modele et des essais sur des structures legeres de type " Ocean Indien " sont en cours. Les lignes d'ancrage ont fait l'objet de modifications progressives en raison de meilleures connaissances des produits ainsi que des contraintes du milieu environnant. Ce programme est finance en totalite par le territoire de la Polynesie francaise et gere par le secteur public. Il s'adresse a la pecherie artisanale et cotiere qui considere depuis de nombreuses annees cette assistance technique comme un atout indispensable au maintien de son activite. La politique d'engagement de ce soutien economique jusqu'en 1997 aupres des populations d'iles et atolls tres eloignes de la capitale ainsi que l'incidence de la technique de peche la plus repandue autour des DCP ont abouti a des resultats mitiges sans pour autant remettre en cause ce programme. En effet, les lignes a main derivantes et retenues en surface par une petite bouee temoin sont un des principaux facteurs de degradation des lignes d'ancrage. Il est desormais reconnu par tous les intervenants qu'une nouvelle strategie doit etre deployee afin que les pecheurs cotiers professionnels soient mieux responsabilises face a un outil de travail onereux en raison de la bathymetrie environnante, pour que l'effort de peche soit accru par l'utilisation de techniques de peche mieux adaptees, et enfin que l'esprit communautaire prime sur l'individualisme.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15292/12649.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15292/

Éditeur(s) : Oxford university press
Résumé : Fish-aggregating devices (FADs) are increasingly used worldwide to enhance tuna catches. Meanwhile, ecosystem-based management of this fishery is constrained by a paucity of information regarding the interaction of FAD-associated tuna aggregations with their local environment. This paper reports the results of a nine-month study around a FAD moored near Martinique Island, aimed at assessing the effects of the local environment on the variability of monthly estimates of proximate tuna biomass. Dual-frequency, active acoustics provided highresolution quantitative data on the pelagic community around the FAD, from fish to micronekton forage. Geostatistics were used to compute biomass estimates of the tuna aggregation comprising most of the FADassociated fish biomass, with a sampling error of 27%. Environmental variability was summarized by a small set of principal components (PCs) derived from profiles of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen vs. depth; and maps of chlorophyll a derived from remotely sensed, sea-surface colour. A generalized linear model was used to relate tuna biomass to environmental PCs and revealed a positive correlation between tuna abundance and: i) a micronekton layer sensed at 38 kHz and potentially consisting of preferred prey at about 180 m depth; and ii) low subsurface salinity (60–80 m). These favourable environmental conditions may be related to thepresence of North Brazilian Current eddies that migrating tuna follow when not temporally associated with the FADs.
ICES Journal of Marine Science (1054-3139) (Oxford university press), 2009-07 , Vol. 66 , N. 6 , P. 1410-1416

Droits : 2009 Oxford university press
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-6162.pdf
DOI:10.1093/icesjms/fsp039
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6162/

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999
Résumé : Approximately 4,000 petroleum (oil and gas) platforms exist in the northern Gulf of Mexico and form one of the world's most extensive de facto artificial reef systems. Collectively, these structures may comprise one of the largest fad (Fish Aggregating Device) arrays in the world, attracting surface and midwater pelagic fishes. The diverse composition of pelagic fish fauna at ngom platforms is described and includes valued species such as Thunnus albacares, Thunnus atlanticus, Coryphaena hippurus, Acanthocybium solandri, Rachycentron canadum, Seriola dumerili, Scomberomorus cavalla, and Decapterus punctatus. Petroleum platforms influence pelagic fishery resources and are an important component of the Gulf's commercial and recreational fishing industries. Reviewed literature revealed a sparsity of fundamental knowledge of densities, temporal and spatial occurrence, and fishing effort/catch rates of pelagic fishes at platforms. The role of Gulf petroleum platforms "as fads" is examined, possible mechanisms for aggregation are reviewed, and a synopsis of the author's preliminary findings on life history aspects of A. solandri and R. canadum from platforms is presented. It is proposed that platforms provide opportunities for the study of pelagic species to better understand the life history, ecology, behaviour, and habitat requirements of pelagic fishery resources in the Gulf of Mexico.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15301/12633.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15301/

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999
Résumé : It is generally accepted that innovations in tuna purse seine technology have affected fishing operations and the traditional measurement of fishing effort, days fished including searching time. Not much is known, however, about the actual effects of the innovations on fishing performance. Data from the us tuna purse seine fishery in the Western Pacific Ocean were used to determine the impact of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (fads) on the performance of the us fleet. The results indicate, inter alia, a high rate of success (96%) in catching tuna and high yield rate (37 t/successful set) for fad sets. Log sets were comparable in success rate (94%) and catch rate (36 t/successful set). Unassociated sets, on the other hand, had a higher catch rate (42 t/successful set) than fad sets, but a low success rate, 53 per cent. fad sets significantly improved the fleet's performance.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15296/12655.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15296/

Résumé : Bycatch of marine turtles, vulnerable or endangered species, is a growing issue of all fisheries, including Oceanic purse-seine fishery. The present paper seeks to assess marine turtle bycatch at a spatial and temporal level in the European purse seine fishery operating in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The study was based on data collected through French and Spanish observer programs from 1995 to 2011, a period where more than 230 000 fishing sets were realized by the UE fleets in both Oceans. A total of 15 913 fishing sets were observed, including 6 515 on drifting Fish Aggregate Devices (FAD) and 9 398 on Free Swimming Schools (FSC). Over the study period, 597 turtles were caught, 86% being released alive at sea. At the same time, from 2003 to 2011, 14 124 specific observations were carried out on floating objects whether they ended in a set or not. 354 marine turtles were observed upon which 80% were already free or entangled alive and therefore released alive. At the temporal and spatial level, data were organized and analysed by Ocean, fishing mode (FAD vs. FSC) as well as by year, quarter and statistical square of 1°. In order to evaluate the impact if this fishery in both Oceans, bycatch distribution was compared to the total fishing effort of the UE fleet, as well as to the known marine turtle post nesting migration routes, nesting population abundances and known feeding areas. The species composition, the size and sex structure of bycatch are also discussed here. At last, an attempt to raise the data to the total fishing effort was carried out. Based on observation of marine turtle by-catches on sets, we estimated that, globally, 3500 marine turtles were accidentally captured by the EU-PS fleet in the Atlantic Ocean from 1995 to 2010, and around 2000 in the Indian Ocean from 2003 to 2010, with a corresponding annual bycatch rate of 218 (SD=150; survival rate =91%) and 250 (SD=157; survival rate =77%) respectively in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. However, because of important uncertainties mainly due to the low observation coverage and the scarcity of marine turtle bycatch events, it was impossible to produce solid and reliable global estimates of marine turtle bycatch and mortality due to PS activity.

Droits : 2012 IOTC
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00149/25991/24087.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00149/25991/

Éditeur(s) : Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd
Résumé : Several empirical and theoretical studies have shown how the exploitation of food sources, the choice of resting sites or other types of collective decision-making in heterogeneous environments are facilitated and modulated by social interactions between conspecifics. It is well known that many pelagic fishes live in schools and that this form of gregarious behavior provides advantages in terms of food intake and predator avoidance efficiency. However, the influence of social behavior in the formation of aggregations by tuna under floating objects (FOBs) is poorly understood. In this work, we investigated the collective patterns generated by different theoretical models, which either include or exclude social interactions between conspecifics, in the presence of two aggregation sites. The resulting temporal dynamics and distributions of populations were compared to in situ observations of tuna behavior. Our work suggests that social interactions should be incorporated in aggregative behavior to reproduce the temporal patterns observed in the field at both the individual and the group level, challenging the common vision of tuna aggregations around FOBs. Our study argues for additional data to further demonstrate the role of social behavior in the dynamics of these fish aggregations. Understanding the interplay between environmental and social factors in the associative behavior of fish with FOBs is necessary to assess the consequences of the widespread deployment of artificial FOBs by fishermen.
Journal Of Theoretical Biology (0022-5193) (Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd), 2014-10 , Vol. 359 , P. 161-170

Droits : 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00195/30638/29091.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.06.010
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00195/30638/

Éditeur(s) : Actes de colloque Ifremer n°28, 2000. ISBN-13 978-2-84433-047-5 ISBN-10 978-2-84433-047-5
Résumé : The international symposium "Tuna Fishing and Fish Aggregating Devices " , October 1999, in Martinique, takes stock of the exploitation of large pelagic fish around FADs, based on regional synthesis for the three oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Main themes include technology, fishing methods, impact on resources, biology of fish aggregation, anthropology and economic aspects of FAD exploitation. The meeting will gather and disseminate results from recent and ongoing studies on FADs in the different oceans of the world, enhance collaboration between scientists and managers involved in the development of FADs, promote the emergence of scientific and technical research, form a network for cooperation and enhance communications between researchers in the different locations concerned.
Le colloque international « Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons» organisé en octobre 1999, en Martinique, permet de dresser un bilan, sous forme de synthèses régionales, de l'exploitation des grands poissons pélagiques à l'aide de DCP dans les trois océans et en Méditerranée. La technologie, les méthodes de pêche, l'impact sur les ressources, le comportement agrégatif des poissons et les aspects socio-économiques de l'utilisation des DCP sont les principaux thèmes développés. Ces travaux permettront d'assurer une diffusion large des résultats à l'échelle de l'océan mondial, de favoriser les échanges entre les scientifiques et les gestionnaires impliqués dans le développement des systèmes DCP, de promouvoir l'émergence de thèmes et projets de recherche scientifique et technologique, de mettre en oeuvre un réseau de communication et d'échanges entre les sites et les régions concernées.

Droits : 2000 Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15326/12646.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15326/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : This paper examines the fishing of blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) around Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in Martinique (French West Indies). It is based on the compared analysis of catches from monthly experimental fishing surveys and sampling of commercial landings. The data collected in these two different ways allowed comparison of blackfin tuna length frequencies. A large part of the commercial landings were made up of young immature tuna with a fork length of less than 40 cm, whereas the experimental longline catches were mainly made up of fish with a fork length ranging between 55 and 75 cm. We give evidence that these discrepancies were mostly due to the fishing technique used. Indeed, contrarily to the experimental surveys, Martinican fishermen only fish during daytime and usually on the surface by trolling. This way, fishermen do not have access to the largest fish, which are found deeper. Out results suggested that a new fishing technique such as vertical longlining, could improve commercial catches of big blackfin tuna under FADs. (C) 2000 Ifremer/CNRS/INRA/IRD/Cemagerf/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.
Aquatic Living Resources (0990-7440) (Elsevier), 2000-07 , Vol. 13 , N. 4 , P. 259-262

Droits : 2000 Ifremer/CNRS/INRA/IRD/Cemagref/Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2000/publication-1392.pdf
DOI:10.1016/S0990-7440(00)01056-1
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1392/

Éditeur(s) : Edp Sciences S A
Résumé : It is estimated that fish aggregating devices (FADs) are now used for over 40% of world tropical tuna catches, making this technique a major phenomenon for high seas fisheries worldwide, and one that has experienced great expansion over the past three decades. The question of whether the FAD is a good or a bad tool for the exploitation of marine resources depends on many parameters. To respond to this question, it is necessary to distinguish different scales of exploitation (artisanal vs. industrial) and various types of FADs (anchored vs. drifting), but it is also very important to gather more data and conduct further research on this topic to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon and of its impacts. As such, twelve years after the first international conference devoted to FADs, which was held in Martinique (French West Indies), a new multi-scalar global assessment of FAD fisheries development and a review of the progress of research in this field was deemed vital. The latest international conference, "Tuna Fisheries and Fish Aggregating Devices", was held in Tahiti in November 2011, and it was an event that welcomed nearly 150 conference attendees from 40 different countries, three ocean regions, and the Mediterranean. This is an analysis of the relevant literature gathered by the author in the bibliographic database FADBASE. Then, the major issues already addressed by the scientific community are set out, and gaps and research priorities are highlighted for anchored and drifting FADs management.
Aquatic Living Resources (0990-7440) (Edp Sciences S A), 2013-01 , Vol. 26 , N. 1 , P. 25-35

Droits : EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD 2013
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00137/24835/22915.pdf
DOI:10.1051/alr/2013043
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00137/24835/