Rigs-To-Reefs
The Opportunity to Save Exceptional Marine Habitat
For more than three quarters of a century, energy infrastructure on the Outer Continental Shelf has boosted productivity and served as the catalyst for teeming communities of fish, corals, and other marine life – but it is being removed at an alarming rate. The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act will ensure critical habitat remains in the water to the benefit of countless species and anglers nationwide.
“Everyone who goes fishing off the coast of Louisiana knows that the best catches come when you’re close to a rig. Casting aside our favorite fishing spots by thoughtlessly removing energy infrastructure threatens the health of our offshore ecosystems and reduces opportunities for folks to fish in Sportsman’s Paradise.”
“Today, I’m proud to co-lead the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act with my colleague Congressman Graves of Louisiana. Our legislation will help create a pathway for more Rigs-to-Reefs conversions and bolster the overall program that is repurposing out-of-service offshore oil and natural gas production platforms into thriving areas for aquatic wildlife.”
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Vice-Chair
Representative Garret Graves (LA)
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Member
Representative Mark Veasey (TX)
THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR
“Where they exist, offshore oil and gas platforms are the catalyst for teeming reef fish communities and offer recreational anglers consistent, reliable fishing destinations. While some claim they are simply fish attractors and not producers, the value they provide for enhancing marine productivity and biodiversity is clear in the scientific literature. Unfortunately, we’re losing them at an alarming rate.”
Chris Horton, CSF's Senior Director of Fisheries Policy
Oil and gas platforms off the coast of California have the highest secondary fish production of any marine habitat that has been studied. (PNAS)
Platform removals in the Gulf of Mexico are likely having significant adverse impacts on local fisheries. (BOEM Study)
Oil and gas platforms have facilitated the expansion of coral populations in the Gulf of Mexico and have intrinsic environmental value. (Marine Ecology Progress Series)
Of the species of coral commonly found on platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, two are on the IUCN (Symmetrical Brain Coral / Ten-ray Star Coral) critically endangered list globally.
Secondary productivity from platforms in the Gulf of Mexico does supplement the diets of reef dependent finfish. (American Fisheries Society Symposium)
A study in the Mediterranean demonstrated that artificial reefs effectively support biomass production through locally produced organic matter. (Marine Ecology Progress Series)
Our Partners
Anglers, commercial fishermen, divers, and others are concerned with the increasing pace of removal of oil and gas platforms from our coastal waters, most of which are surrounded by abundant marine life. The recreational angling community is united in our efforts to ensure that platforms with established fish and coral communities can remain as artificial habitat for generations to come.
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