(January 13, 2026) – Washington, D.C. — The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) encourages the advancement of H.R. 5745, the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act, following a hearing before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, where CSF provided testimony in strong support of the legislation.
On Tuesday, January 13, Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy for CSF, testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources on the importance of preserving offshore energy infrastructure in the Gulf of America (Gulf) as vital marine habitat through the Rigs-to-Reefs program.
“For more than 75 years, offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf have provided some of the most productive marine habitat in the region,” said Horton. “As these structures approach the end of their production life, Congress has an opportunity to improve the efficiency of the Rigs-to-Reefs program and ensure more of these structures continue to benefit fish populations, anglers, divers, and coastal communities for generations to come.”
Since the late 1940s, nearly 7,000 offshore oil and gas platforms have been installed in the Gulf, creating otherwise scarce hard substrate over predominantly mud and sand bottoms. Over time, these structures have become the foundation for thriving marine ecosystems, supporting fish, corals, and invertebrates, while also serving as important recreational and commercial fishing destinations. Today, however, only about 1,000 platforms remain, many of which are nearing decommissioning.
Recent scientific research has shown that platforms can do more than aggregate fish—they can increase overall reef fish biomass. In addition, studies in the northern Gulf have documented eight species of reef-building corals on platforms, including two species classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act would enable science-based evaluations of remaining offshore structures to identify those with established reef communities and provide additional flexibility for states to convert qualifying platforms into permanent artificial reefs through the Rigs-to-Reefs program. The bill also calls for the designation of reef planning areas around these structures to allow for reefing in place, ensuring the protection of the existing habitat that took decades to establish.
Joining Horton in support of the legislation were Dr. Greg Stunz, Senior Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, and Ryan Montegut, Assistant Secretary of Fisheries for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
CSF commends Representatives Mike Ezell, Troy Carter, and Marc Veasey for their leadership in advancing legislation that balances responsible energy policy with conservation, access, and long-term marine habitat protection.
“The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act provides a clear, science-driven pathway to save some of the most productive artificial reef habitat in U.S. waters,” Horton added. “CSF looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to see this important legislation enacted into law.”
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