GPS Metal FAD locations in Philippines

Created by doina. Last modified on 2005-10-21 10:35:29
Countries: Philippines

I am sending you 12 GPS locations for un-lit and un-marked BIG metal FADS, mostly located between eastern Mindanao and Palau...nearly 1/3 of the way!

FADs are Fish Attraction (Aggregate) Device. The PI fishing fleets anchor these big, floating, thick-walled steel cylinders in thousands of feet of water. All were floating approximately 12 to 20 inches above the surface. None had lights or radar reflectors (we do not have radar, so I can't tell you if they show a return). Btw, they can have a swing radius of one mile! I'm surprised more yachts haven't sunk with these things.

Most in this list are between Palau and Hinatuan Passage (between Mindanao and Surigao Island)

8' 21.726N/118' 32.682E (note: a group of three are in this area)
8' 24.830N/128' 23.190E
7' 59.702N/129' 01.000E
7' 56.720N/129' 02.725E
9' 10.756N/127' 08.121E
8' 44.567N/127' 58.733E
8' 43.599N/127' 59.618E
8' 36.250N/128' 10.516E
8' 33.096N/128' 13.554E
8' 29.750N/128' 17.739E
8' 29.100N/128' 17.825E
8' 28.350N/128' 19.533E

Also, another yacht reported a metal FAD approximately 30 miles SE of Suluan Island, PI (near entrance to Surigao Straights). We passed four more metal FADs - three black ones in a generally direct line from the NW tip of Mindoro to Apo Reef and one orange metal FAD just south of Apo Reef.

There are heaps and heaps of bamboo/styrofoam/what-ever floats FADs and I'm quite sure many more metal/steel ones. The metal ones are good sized and would not be fun to run into! FADs in the Philippines can be in shallow water up to literally thousands and thousands of feet.

Jason Hopcus, s/v Shiralee