The role of fishermen and other stakeholders in the North Sea rigs-to-reefs debate

Abstract

The purpose of this research project, performed under a Minerals Management Service contract, was to estimate demand, expenditures, and economic impact associated with recreational fishing and diving near GOM-based oil and gas structures and artificial reefs created from such structures. The  primary research approach involved a series of sample surveys during 1999 of recreational fishermen and divers along the Gulf coast including the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Because detailed species information was collected, results are available on target species and catch. The results of the surveys of recreational fishermen and divers strongly indicated that the availability of oil and gas structures as well as artificial reefs created from such structures are extremely important to the coastal counties of the Gulf states. Of the 4.5 million recreational fishing trips estimated in the Gulf states from Alabama through Texas in 1999, 21.9% were within 300 feet of an oil or gas structure. Of the 83,780 estimated diving trips, 93.6% were within 300 feet of such a structure. The economic activity associated with these visits was substantial. According to the analyses performed, there were $172.9 million in direct expenditures during 1999 associated with recreational visits to oil and gas structures in the Gulf states plus another $640.0 million in annual equipment-related expenditures. The total economic output in coastal areas associated with recreational fishing and diving near oil and gas structures in the Gulf was $324.6 million, including $164.1 million in the value added component and employment estimated at 5,560 full-time equivalents.