Offshore petroleum structures lure fishermen seaward in the central Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

In state and federal waters offshore Louisiana more than 3500 structures ranging in size from single to multiwell platforms attract thousands of of boat fishermen. A 1980-1981 study supported by the Minerals Management Service revealed distinct offshore fishing patterns. Based on over 12,000 sightings of boat fishing activity by industry volunteers on over 300 major platforms, the study indicated that access, shelf characteristics, transportation networks, demographics and the interrelationship of these factors influence the amount and location of offshore platform fishing. These factors produced an uneven distribution of activity along the coast and seawards; in fact, one-fifth of the study platforms accounted for more than half of all the fishing activity. Such findings on the use patterns associated with offshore structures have implications for planning and evaluating artificial reef systems as well as supplement biological and engineering knowledge.