News Category: Rigs to Reef

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A new federal bill could make it easier to turn decommissioned oil rigs into artificial reefs, a move scientists say would boost Gulf fisheries and habitat.

(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…

Why It Matters: Offshore fishing in the Gulf of America (Gulf) is often around oil and gas platforms and associated infrastructure. These hard structures that dot the Gulf provide valuable habitat for fish, corals, and invertebrates, and important fishing destinations for anglers and commercial fishermen alike. Unfortunately, many have been removed through decommissioning. For years,  the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been working to improve the Rigs-To-Reefs program, and we…

(October 15, 2025) – Washington, DC – Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Mike Ezell and Marc Veasey, along with CSC Vice-Chair Congressman Troy Carter, have introduced the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act – priority legislation for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) that will facilitate the conversion of decommissioned offshore oil and gas infrastructure that foster…

(July 16, 2025) – Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and other conservation leaders, policymakers, and outdoor advocates gathered at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium for a special screening of Steel to Sanctuary: The Rigs to Reef Story, an inspiring new documentary that captures the transformation of decommissioned oil platforms into thriving marine habitats in…

Scuba diving oil platform HI A376A on 11Sep20 as part of a trip to the Flower Garden Banks NMS.

Several actions are underway to ensure that removal is just an option and that artificial reefing is also an option.

An article by TRCP’s Chris Macaluso.

Gulf of Mexico’s rigs make great artificial reefs. Let’s keep that valuable fish habitat in the water.

In the hidden depths of California’s coastal waters, an overlooked world of marine life thrives beneath the shadow of towering oil rigs.

Why It Matters:  Offshore fishing in the Gulf of Mexico from Alabama to Texas is often best around offshore oil and gas platforms and associated infrastructure on the outer continental shelf (OCS). These hard structures that dot the Gulf provide valuable habitat for fish, corals, and invertebrates and important fishing destinations for anglers and commercial…