Effects on artificial reef and demersal fish and macrocrustacean  communities

Abstract

From the Conclusions and Recommendations: “1) The major effect of the Buccaneer Field has been to provide substrate allowing for the development of a rich and diverse biofouling or artificial reef community: 2) The structures and reefs aggregated nektonic species preferring these habitats, as well as those who preyed upon them — particularly man; 3) Produced waters were toxic but the direct effects on the biota were restricted to within only a few meters  of the outfall; 4) Indirect effects of chronic, low-level contaminant discharge, although not known with certainty, were no indicated to have been significant; 5) Measurable uptake of contaminants seemed minimal and restricted to those species in the biofouling food chain, and there was little evidence of bioaccumulation; and 6) More concern seems to be in order relative to the effects of the recreational fishery on fish rather than concern about the effects of the field on either the fish or the recreational fishery.”