Cumulative ecological significance of oil and gas structures in the Gulf of Mexico: Information search, synthesis and ecological modeling; Phase I, Final Report

Abstract

From the Abstract: “Bibliographic searches were made of eight databases for information and data describing the environmental characteristics and biota of the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly 400 references were obtained describing the biota, but fewer than half contained adequate information to characterize the life history of target species…A significant finding of Phase 1 is that petroleum platform habitat is but a small fraction of the total reef habitat found in the central and western Gulf. However, the total numbers of red snapper estimated to occupy petroleum platforms correspond favorably to the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council’s estimate of the total red snapper stock. Possible implications are that the total stock may be much larger than previously thought, or that platforms may be far more important than their area would imply, or that one or both the stock estimates are in error.”