Shellfish harvest as a biofouling control strategy on offshore oil and gas platforms: development of a profitable, symbiotic marine business in southern California

Abstract

From Conclusions: “The development of shellfish harvesting as a biofouling control strategy and profitable business was successful in southern California because biogeographic, oceanographic, and industrial conditions coincided to create a situation ripe for synergistic collaboration. It was a win-win situation for both the oil and gas industry and shellfish harvesting entrepreneurs, allowing oil platform operators to reduce or eliminate costs for cleaning stress-load biofouling communities off platform legs and crossbeams and entrepreneurs (harvesters) an opportunity to develop the human food market for a valuable shellfish. One group, ECOMAR, carried the process the farthest because the group had: 1) extensive biological training and expertise, 2) an experienced ocean technology team to work through logistics of harvest/processing, 3) good relationships with the oil industry via other previous scientific consulting work and 4) initiative and business acumen to persevere in collaboration with state resources and health regulatory agencies to work through resource and seafood health safety issues. It remains to be seen whether this symbiotic relationship could occur elsewhere or be expanded to offshore alternative energy structures. The feasibility of setting up a similar business will require evaluation of the suite of biogeographic and oceanographic conditions occurring in the area(s) of interest. Species of value not only have to occur in the area, but they need to be continually replenished through annual recruitment events to maintain the markets that are developed for the valued product. Also to be considered are the regulatory constraints of the energy and seafood industries. Human health and safety concerns continually hinder harvesting at offshore oil platforms, but as illustrated here, these are not insurmountable issues.”