In the tuna purse seine fishery, artificial Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) are deployed, which attract and aggregate large numbers of fish, significantly increasing the catch volume of tuna purse seine fishing. However, this also brings about some ecological environmental issues.

Recently, two Spanish ocean technology companies, Zunibal and AZTI, have taken a step in reducing marine plastic pollution by developing fully artificial fish aggregating devices (FADs).

With the support of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the European fleet, these two companies have conducted months of testing in semi-controlled environments and open waters, and have now deployed over 220 compostable FADs in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

They claim it is the first industrially produced FAD made entirely from materials certified to biodegrade in the marine environment, meeting standards set by international fisheries regulators.

The new FAD platform is made from bio-based polybutylene succinate (PBS), a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable sources such as sugarcane, cassava, and corn. This material is certified by the Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA) under the ISO 19679 standard, ensuring it decomposes in marine environments without leaving harmful residues. Established in 1989, the JBPA has played a pivotal role in setting global benchmarks for biodegradable and bio-based plastics, shaping policies and practices in the evolving field of sustainable materials.

If the device sinks to the bottom, the natural microorganisms in the sediment and seawater will initiate the biodegradation process, breaking down the material into carbon dioxide and water, with no harmful residues throughout the process. In addition to its environmental advantages, the new formulation also brings practical improvements: it is lighter, stronger, and more durable than previous products, achieving performance upgrades while reducing material usage. Verified through sea trials, the optimized structure can better withstand the physical impacts of deep-sea deployments, effectively extending its service life. This material fully complies with the definition of biodegradable fish aggregation devices set by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and meets international marine biodegradation standards.

"This new type of certification material significantly reduces the impact of tropical tuna fishing on the ecosystem, effectively addressing regulatory and environmental challenges posed by the industry and regional fisheries management organizations," said Iker Zudaire, an expert at AZTI. As trials in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans near completion, AZTI will begin analyzing the data and subsequently test the device's application potential in the deep waters of the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, Zunibal will introduce the new material to the industry and initiate fishing efficiency tests to evaluate its impact on tuna operations. This move highlights Zunibal's commitment to leveraging technological innovation to help distant-water fleets transition to sustainable operating models that align with global marine conservation goals.

"Now we can proudly say that we offer the first 100% biodegradable industrialized fish aggregating device suitable for the marine environment," emphasized Álvaro Núñez of Zunibal. "This milestone is the result of collaboration between the fishing sector and applied research institutions."