Creating artificial reefs from decommissioned platforms in the North Sea: review of knowledge and proposed program of research

Abstract

From the Conclusions: “1) Artificial reefs are an acknowledged tool in fisheries management, and are being used in many countries. Japan and the USA have National Artificial Reef Programmes and the EU has a co-ordinated programme of reefs research. 2) The USA has a well-documented programme of deploying selected decommissioned platforms as high profile reefs at approved sites in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. 3) There are two, low profile artificial reefs near the UK coast, but no purposefully created high profile reefs in the North Sea. 4) There is a body of evidence from studies at working North Sea platforms which indicates clearly that these platforms are acting as reefs, at that when decommissioned they would contine to act as reefs. 5) Further studies are needed to determine how effective reefs could be in the North Sea, at both inshore and offshore locations. 6) Successful acquisition of such data would be a significant aid in answering the two fundamental questions regarding the use of high profile steel reefs in the cool temperate waters of the North Sea.”