The role of FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) in the coastal dispersion of juvenile fish species in the North-Western Sicily

In this study, we hypothesized that the FADs placed at long distance from the shore could lead the young associated fish towards the coastal habitat. The findings suggest that FAD systems might be exerting two different effects on juvenile fish distribution: (a) offshore FADs tend to retain associated fish for longer periods of time, (b) coastal FADs favour the transition of fishes from the pelagic to the benthic domain.