Even though the original FADs were lost to foul weather in 2003, village conservation awareness of the coral reefs at both the Maratua and Derawan areas remains high. Since 2006, villagers have developed their own ecotourism business focusing on conservation and visits to their underwater ecosystem. The FAD success also encouraged the local fisheries office to re-implement the program, granting eight new FADs to the community. Unfortunately, fish prices in the area dropped to less than five cents per pound during implementation. Only one FAD remains in place.

Five FADs were installed for three different villages. Unfortunately, three of the five FADs were lost in 2003 due to strong currents and broken anchoring ropes. The remaining two are still being well used. The local NGO, KEHATI, has offered to help village women start fermenting a portion of the village’s tuna catches to reduce transportation needs and increase the catch’s per weight income. Fermented tuna sells at the mainland market for about US$1.20/kg vs. fresh fish sales of only US$.53/kg. As this and other ideas have resulted from the use of FADs, fishing communities have become more supportive of marine resource management and conservation.