Striech, M. K., M. J. Ajemian, J. J. Wetz, and G. W. Stunz
Oil and gas platforms along the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) shelf have served as artificial reefs since oil and gas exploration intensified in the 1950s.
From the Abstract: “Offshore oil and gas production platforms function as excellent artificial reefs, providing a hard substrate for corals, bivalves and other sessile animals, as well as food and shelter for a wide variety of benthic, midwater and sur
From the Abstract: “Offshore oil and gas platforms are known to function as artificial reefs. They provide a large surface area for settlement and aggregate large numbers of fish.
Examination of 16 artificial reef structures with a two-person submersible in depths ranging from 30 to 120 m (100–400 ft) indicated that the highest numbers of fish are found around reefs in water shallower than 46 m (150 ft).
Wilson, C. A., M. Miller, R. Kasprzak, and D. Stanley
From the Discussion: “This project again demonstrates the utility of dual beam hydroacoustics coupled with visual survey techniques to study fish assemblages associated with standing platforms and artificial reefs….
Bortone, S. A., R. K. Turpin, R. C. Cody, C. M. Bundrick
Visual census (5-min point-count, 100 m2) was used to estimate fish assemblage parameters associated with artificial reef variables from 64 reefs over a 3-yr period in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) red snapper stock has been exploited since the mid 1800s; yet it is still one of the most economically important fisheries in the GOM.
