Drifting fish aggregating devices used by industrial tuna fleets enter and affect more than half of the world's marine protected areas [1].

This discovery suggests that current boundaries for marine protected areas (MPAs) may be insufficient to shield ocean ecosystems from industrial fishing gear. Because these devices move independently of the ships that deploy them, they bypass traditional enforcement measures designed to keep vessels out of sensitive zones.

Drifting fish aggregating devices, known as dFADs, are deployed by industrial fleets to attract tuna. According to the study released in July 2026, these devices can drift for thousands of kilometers [1] before they eventually sink. This long-range movement allows gear released well outside the borders of a protected zone to migrate deep into the heart of one.

The research indicates that over 50% of global MPAs are affected by this drifting gear [1]. The study highlights a critical gap in maritime governance; MPAs are generally designed to restrict the entry of vessels, but they cannot stop gear that drifts in on ocean currents.

Industrial tuna fleets rely on these devices to increase catch efficiency. However, the presence of dFADs within protected waters can disrupt local biodiversity and introduce foreign materials into fragile habitats. The study emphasizes that the scale of the problem is global, spanning across various marine protected areas regardless of their location.

Environmental advocates have long called for stricter regulations on the deployment and recovery of dFADs. The findings from this month suggest that simply designating a region as protected does not remove the threat of industrial fishing debris and gear interference.

“Drifting fish aggregating devices enter and affect more than half of the world's marine protected areas.”

This study reveals a systemic failure in the 'paper park' phenomenon, where protected areas exist on maps but lack the mechanism to prevent industrial pollution. Because dFADs act as autonomous vectors for fishing activity, the traditional model of policing vessel boundaries is inadequate. Effective conservation may now require international mandates for the mandatory recovery of all drifting gear or a total ban on non-recoverable dFADs to ensure MPAs provide actual biological sanctuary.