The Tuvalu Fisheries Authority (TFA) wishes to inform stakeholders and the public that an Exemption to the Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Closure 2026 has been approved following the decision of the Ordinary Board Meeting 2/2026 and made under Section 20(4) of the Fisheries Management Regulations (2025).
The exemption will come into effect from 1 July 2026 and remain in force until 15 August 2026.
Under this decision, nine fishing vessels have been granted an exemption from the application of the FAD closure and may continue fishing in association with FADs within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), subject to strict conditions established by the Authority.
Exempted Vessels
- MFV Caribe
- MFV Elspeth
- MFV Queen Ellice
- MFV Taina
- MFV Fong Kuo No. 188
- MFV Fong Kuo No. 886
- MFV Fong Kuo No. 889
- MFV Jih Yu No. 768
- MFV Jih Yu No. 968
Conditions of the Exemption
To ensure sustainable fisheries management and effective monitoring, the following conditions apply:
- Each vessel is permitted a maximum of 30 FAD sets during the closure period within the Tuvalu EEZ.
- Vessel operators must submit a report to the Director of Fisheries no later than 31 October 2026, detailing the date, position, and catch by species for each set.
- All catches will be subject to the 100% retention requirement of the 3IA.
- Deployment, servicing, and retrieval of drifting FADs are permitted during the closure period, but only within the Tuvalu EEZ.
- Deployment of anchored FADs is not permitted.
- FAD fishing activities during the closure period will be monitored through 100% observer coverage.
- Vessels transshipping in Funafuti will be subject to port sampling to ensure that the exemption does not result in excessive catches of small yellowfin and bigeye tuna.
The Tuvalu Fisheries Authority remains committed to balancing sustainable fisheries management with the economic benefits derived from the tuna industry. These measures ensure that fishing activities conducted under the exemption are carefully monitored and managed in accordance with national fisheries regulations.
For further information, please contact the Tuvalu Fisheries Authority.