Biodegradable fish aggregating device may help tuna fisheries cut plastic pollution

Spanish marine tech firms debut industrial-scale biodegradable fish aggregating device to combat ocean plastic pollution

Zunibal and AZTI, two Spain-based marine technology firms, have taken a step toward reducing ocean plastic pollution by developing a fully biodegradable fish aggregating device (FAD).

After months of testing in both semi-controlled environments and open waters – backed by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the European fleet – the companies have deployed more than 220 compostable FADs across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The result is what they describe as the first industrially produced FAD made entirely from a material certified as biodegradable in marine environments, meeting the standards set by international fisheries regulators.

The new FAD platform is constructed from bio-based polybutylene succinate (PBS) – a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable sources like sugar cane, cassava and corn. Certified under the ISO 19679 standard by the Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA), the material is designed to break down in marine environments without leaving harmful residue. Established in 1989, JBPA has played a key role in setting global benchmarks for biodegradable and bio-based plastics, shaping both policy and practice in the growing field of sustainable materials.

If the platform sinks, it will settle on the seafloor, where naturally occurring microorganisms in the sediment and seawater initiate the biodegradation process—breaking down the material into carbon dioxide and water without leaving behind harmful residues. Beyond its environmental credentials, the platform’s redesigned composition delivers practical benefits: it is lighter, stronger and more durable than earlier models, using less material while enhancing performance.

Field tests have led to a more resilient structure, engineered to endure the physical demands of offshore deployment and extend operational life. Furthermore, the new material aligns with definitions set by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) for biodegradable FADs, meeting international standards for marine biodegradability.

“This new certified material represents a significant advance in reducing the impact of tropical tuna fishing on the ecosystem, responding to regulatory and environmental challenges posed by the industry and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs),” said AZTI’s Iker Zudaire.

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With trials in the Atlantic and Indian oceans nearing completion, AZTI will now analyze the results, while further testing will assess the platform’s potential for submerged use in the Indian Ocean. At the same time, Zunibal will present the new material to the industry and launch initial performance tests to evaluate its impact on tuna fishing operations. The effort underscores Zunibal’s commitment to innovation, supporting the fleet’s transition to more sustainable, regulation-compliant practices in line with global marine conservation goals.

“Today, we can say that we offer the first industrialized FAD of its kind made of a 100 percent biodegradable material suitable for marine environments,” said Álvaro Núñez from Zunibal. “This milestone is the result of a joint effort between the fishing sector and applied research.”

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