Abstract

Over 2,500 petroleum platforms are currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM); they are estimated to provide an additional 12 km2 of artificial reef habitat. These structures both allow for the colonization and growth of biofouling communities and provide habitat and food resources for reef fish and pelagic predators; however, the ecological role of platforms has often been overlooked. All manned platforms have large floodlights for nighttime operations, which illuminate the surrounding waters. This study seeks to address the potential impacts of artificial light on the trophic ecology of fish communities around offshore platforms through gut content analysis (GCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA). Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) and other pelagic predator species are being collected twice per quarter (February 2014 - February 2016) from two active platforms and two ?idle irons? (i.e. inactive platforms) in the Eugene Island oil and gas lease area, off the coast of Louisiana. Species in the top 30 meters of the water column are being collected using 10-hook vertical longlines and single hook and line rigs. Stomachs are being removed from all specimens (excluding sharks) collected to determine feeding behavior, and muscle samples are being taken from the epaxial tissue on the left flank of each specimen for SIA. Samples are currently post-processed and will be analyzed in the laboratory. This study will further our understanding of the role of platforms as habitat for fish communities and provide additional tools for fisheries management in the GOM.

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