Presented By Benny J. Gallaway , PhD LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc.
Funded by The United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Environmental Studies Program Contract M16PC00005 2
In 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), perceived a need for an updated estimate of potential impacts to Gulf of Mexico Fisheries due to OCE explosive decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms. On June 15, 2016, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on behalf of BOEM, issued a contract to LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. to address this need. The study’s focus is the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, western and Central Planning Areas, from the limit of state waters to a water depth of 300 m. 3
2017 Depth Zone (m) Total TX LA MS AL 10 - 17 374 30 297 39 8 18 - 30 247 26 198 20 3 31 - 90 520 50 386 67 17 91 - 300 119 31 66 13 9 1,260 137 947 139 37 2018 Depth Zone (m) Total TX LA MS AL 10 - 17 346 26 275 39 6 18 - 30 229 23 186 17 3 31 - 90 484 47 356 66 15 91 - 300 112 26 65 13 8 1,171 122 882 135 32 4
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N = 368 9
I am about to describe some preliminary thoughts that are LGL and LGL’s alone. BOEM's official position is in line with OCSLA and assumes all OCS facilities are temporary and must be removed at the end of life, unless a waiver is granted. Therefore, platforms, pipelines, etc. are not considered "habitat" in the same sense as live bottom, and are managed differently (i.e., BOEM & BSEE vs. NMFS). However, the study does highlight the agencies' recognition of the presence and importance of the fish resources around these facilities and is intended to help BOEM and BSEE evaluate potential impacts of decommissioning activities and inform management decisions. At this time, BOEM management has not indicated a change in direction or recommendation and, since the study is not complete, I have not presented the analysis or results. 10
Offshore oil and gas platforms constitute a significant proportion of reef habitat in the Louisiana Red Snapper Management Area and their removal will not only kill the local population but remove habitat for future generations. We suggest that intensive “reefing” of platforms in this area may be required to avoid massive loss of reef fish production that will likely be associated with platform removal. 11
Characterize the relative abundance and distribution of commercially and/or recreationally-valuable, federally-managed fish species within the lethal blast radius of explosive severance charges used during decommissioning of fixed OCS platforms; Develop a technique to estimate or model species-specific mortality of managed fish species due to explosive severance activities, incorporating factors such as severance methods and environmental variables; Compare study results with mortality estimates currently used in fisheries management plans or recent stock assessments. Quantify resulting differences in abundance or population estimates and determine if, and at what rate of explosive severance operations impact populations; Develop recommendations that minimize impacts to fish and fisheries to guide BOEM and (BSEE) in authorizing decommissioning activities. 12
The team assembled to conduct this research includes: Benny J. Gallaway, Ph.D. Program Manager LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. Brad Erisman, Ph.D. Hydroacoustics P.I. University of Texas Marine Science Institute Stephen T. Szedlymayer Ph.D. Acoustic Tagging and Telemetry P.I. Auburn University Katherine Kim, Ph.D. Shock Wave Propagation and Mortality P.I. Greeneride Sciences, Inc. Scott W. Raborn Ph.D. Data Manager, Analyst LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. William Gazey Stock Assessment P.I. Gazey Research Associates Scott Hickman Captain Mike Jennings Logistics Coordinator President Charter Fishermans Association Charter Fishermans Association 13
All work conducted in this project is subjected to External Scientific Peer Review The Peer Reviewers are: Dr. Gregg Gitschlag NOAA Fisheries Galveston Platform Removals Dr. John Walter NOAA Fisheries, SEFSC Stock Assessment Dr. Edward Chesney LUMCON Platform Ecology 14
The first task (completed) was to conduct a synthesis of current literature regarding the distribution of federally- managed fish species on or around GOM OCS structures and the expected mortality that these species might experience as a result of underwater detonations. This document also provided the basis for finalizing our preliminary field sampling design. The field studies were restricted to the May-October period of 2017 and 2018. A total of 30 platforms were planned to be sampled each year. 15
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Hydroacoustic Surveys and Submersible Rotating Video Cameras (SRVs) were used to estimate the total numbers of fish present, and the species composition of fish at all 60 sites. 17
Hook and line sampling was conducted at all 60 sites, also supplemented by SRV surveys. Fish were identified to species and sex, weighed, measured and the otoliths are extracted. 18
Dockside processing was done on the same day that the samples were collected. 19
At a subset of 10 of these platforms, experimental mark/recapture studies were conducted to obtain independent population estimates for Red Snapper. 20
Fish were captured by hook and line, anesthetized, weighed measured, tagged with an internally implanted anchor tag, allowed to recover, and then cage released. 21
Acoustic telemetry studies were conducted at a subset of 7 (3 in 2017 and 4 in 2018) platforms to determine site fidelity. Vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were taken synoptically with each sampling event. 22
Platforms harbored significant reef resources including Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Greater Amberjack, Cobia and other species. 23
2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 Numbers of Fish 1,200,000 2017 1,000,000 2018 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 24
2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 TX 1,200,000 Number of Fish LA 1,000,000 MS 800,000 AL 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 25
2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 TX 1,200,000 Number of Fish LA 1,000,000 MS 800,000 AL 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 26
Percent of GOM Red Snapper Percent of GOM Red Snapper Stock Stock on Platforms in 2018 on Louisiana Platforms in 2018 3.2% 4.3% 95.7% 96.8% 4.3% stocks occurred on platforms. 3.2% stocks occurred on platforms. 27
2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 Numbers of Fish 1,000,000 2017 2018 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 28
2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 TX 1,200,000 Number of Fish LA 1,000,000 MS 800,000 AL 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 29
2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 TX 1,200,000 Number of Fish LA 1,000,000 MS AL 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 30
Percent of GOM Vermilion Snapper Percent of GOM Vermilion Snapper Stock on Platforms in 2018 Stock on Louisiana Platforms in 2018 4.0% 2.9% 96.0% 97.1% 4.0% stocks occurred on platforms. 2.9% stocks occurred on platforms. 31
400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 Numbers of Fish 2017 200,000 2018 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 32
400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 Number of Fish TX LA 200,000 MS 150,000 AL 100,000 50,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 33
400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 Number of Fish TX 200,000 LA MS 150,000 AL 100,000 50,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 34
Percent of GOM Greater Amberjack Percent of GOM Greater Amberjack Stock on Platforms in 2018 Stock on Louisiana Platforms in 2018 29.9% 41.8% 58.2% 70.1% 41.8% stocks occurred on platforms. 29.9% stocks occurred on platforms. 35
20,000 (93,167) (24,392) 18,000 (86,192) (22,703) 16,000 14,000 12,000 Numbers of Fish 2017 10,000 2018 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 36
20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 TX 12,000 Number of Fish LA 10,000 MS 8,000 AL 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 37
20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 Number of Fish TX LA 10,000 MS 8,000 AL 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 10 - 17 18 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 300 Depth Zone (m) 38
Percent of GOM Cobia Stock on Percent of GOM Cobia Stock on Platforms in 2018 Louisiana Platforms in 2018 6.3% 4.8% 94.7% 95.2% 6.3% stocks occurred on platforms. 4.8% stocks occurred on platforms. 39
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