The problem is that the magnitude of this fishery generates negative effects: increased catchability of small yellowfin and bigeye tuna, as well as that of sensitive species such as silky sharks; risk of ghost fishing (fish caught accidentally by FAD’s hanging structure while they drift); beaching of FADs on coastal reefs; increase in the number of floating objects with potentially negative effects on tuna migrations and biology.

One of the main current issues for tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) in charge of managing these fisheries in a sustainable way is FAD management.