FADs have been deployed off Port Macquarie and Laurieton to provide improved recreational fishing opportunities during the summer months.

Troy said the devices enhance the fishing out on the water as they attract currents for fish. He has previously caught dolphinfish, marlin and kingfish near the FADs. 

The program is part of a state government program to deploy FADs along the NSW coastline.

“In summer and autumn, the east Australian current brings warmer waters to the coast of NSW, which attracts a variety of fish, such as brilliantly coloured dolphinfish, hard fighting marlin and wahoo,” Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said.

“FADs have proven increasingly popular with anglers off Port Macquarie as fishing around these devices can be action packed.”

FADs are a GPS tracked yellow buoy with a flashing beacon for safe navigation.

Troy said he is looking forward to getting out in the water near the FAD to go fishing this summer. 

Troy recommends the FAD in the Camden Haven be moved further off the coast as he said this will provide a bigger variety of fish to catch. 

One FAD is located off Port Macquarie, 16km from the Hastings River while the other is located at Laurieton, 10km from the Camden Haven River.

The program is funded through the NSW Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust.