Abstract

Over 2800 standing oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico make up the largest de facto artificial reef in the world. Since the implementation of the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program, 73 offshore artificial reefs have been created in Louisiana state waters from cut-down platforms. Three standing platforms in the Eugene Island oil field have been monitored since June 2013 using a 6-camera array composed of two stereo pairs and two single cameras. The footage was processed to determine the degree of similarity between the nekton communities at three depth strata extending 50 m from the platforms per season. To date, 26 species of nekton have been identified. Among the platforms, the bottom depths show a significant difference in species composition from the top and middle regions, which also show a high level of similarity to one another. The results of the study, scheduled to conclude May 2015, will establish a baseline to compare the effects of creating artificial reefs on nekton community composition and biomass. So far, there may be a significant impact to the species that reside in the topmost portions of the standing platforms when they are cut down to create artificial reefs.

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