CSC Members Garret Graves and Marc Veasey Introduce Legislation To Save Valuable Marine Fisheries Habitat

December 15, 2023 (Washington, DC) – Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Vice-Chair Congressman Garret Graves and CSC Member and former CSC Chair Congressman Marc Veasey have introduced the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act (H.R. 6814), priority legislation for CSF that will facilitate the conversion of decommissioned offshore oil and gas infrastructure that foster healthy reef ecosystems to state artificial reef programs.

“Where they exist, offshore oil and gas platforms are the catalyst for teeming reef fish communities and offer recreational anglers consistent, reliable fishing destinations,” said Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). “While some claim they are simply fish attractors and not producers, the value they provide for enhancing marine productivity and biodiversity is clear in the scientific literature. Unfortunately, we’re losing them at an alarming rate. It has been a pleasure to work with Representatives Graves and Veasey on the drafting of this legislation, and we very much appreciate their leadership in curbing that loss and ensuring we have the best opportunity to preserve these incredible fishing destinations for future generations.”

Using a science basis, the bill requires an evaluation of the remaining structures for the presence of important reef organisms, and once found, allows for more time for the structures to be converted to a state’s Rigs-to-Reefs program. The bill also allows for the area in the immediate vicinity of the structure to be considered a reef planning area and for the structure to be reefed in place, minimizing the disturbance to the organisms living on or around the structure. Furthermore, the bill maintains the requirement that any associated wells must be plugged and sealed just as they would be if the platform was to be towed to shore and scrapped on land.

In the Gulf of Mexico alone, around 7,000 oil and gas platforms were installed overtime since the first structure was built in 1947. Today, less than 1,200 remain and several hundred of those are currently in the decommission process, while only around 20 percent of those will be slated for the Rigs-to-Reefs program.

CSF submitted a letter, joined by the nation’s leading marine recreational fishing organizations, in support of the bill’s introduction and the effort to address the problem of an accelerated loss of valuable marine fisheries habitat. As the trusted voice for America’s 55 million sportsmen and women, CSF will work to secure additional support for the bill in Congress, as well as from coastal communities, as we seek to ensure the bill becomes law.