Congressmen Carter, Ezell, Veasey Introduce Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act (H.R. 5745). This bipartisan bill promotes environmental conservation and responsible decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms. The legislation will enable additional federal support to facilitate the conversion of more retired oil rigs into artificial reefs, thereby preserving marine habitats and supporting the fishing industry.

"The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act is a smart, science-backed solution that turns yesterday’s energy infrastructure into tomorrow’s marine sanctuaries,” said Rep. Carter. “By transforming retired offshore platforms into artificial reefs, we’re preserving critical habitat for Gulf marine life, promoting biodiversity, and supporting our recreational and commercial fishermen. This bipartisan legislation shows that energy policy and environmental stewardship don’t have to be at odds. When done responsibly, Rigs-to-Reefs is a win for conservation, a win for coastal communities, and a win for the future of the Gulf.”

Offshore platforms in the Gulf have long served as thriving habitats for marine life. In 1984, the National Fishing Enhancement Act was enacted to address increased interest and participation in fishing at offshore oil and gas platforms and widespread support for effective artificial reef development by coastal states. The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act provides additional federal support for oil and gas operators and state agencies, including the Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife, to leave appropriate structures in place and convert them into permanent artificial reefs.

“At its core, the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection program is a simple yet powerful idea,” said Rep. Ezell. “Instead of tearing down structures that have become vibrant marine ecosystems, we can repurpose them to benefit the environment, fishermen, and taxpayers alike. As someone who has fished in the Gulf my entire life, I can tell you that the best fishing is always near these rigs. When we remove them entirely, we’re not just losing a structure—we’re destroying entire ecosystems. This bill is a no-brainer for coastal communities, sportsmen, and marine life alike.”

“Today, I’m proud to co-lead the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act with my colleagues Congressmen Ezell and Carter,” said Rep. Veasey. “Our legislation will help create a pathway for more rig conversions and bolster the overall program that is repurposing out-of-service offshore oil and natural gas production platforms into thriving areas for aquatic wildlife.”

“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). “Far more than fish attractors, the value they provide for enhancing marine productivity and biodiversity is well documented, but they are quickly disappearing. We very much appreciate Representatives Ezell, Veasey, and Carter for their leadership to ensure we have the best opportunity to preserve these fishing meccas for future generations.”

"Turning decommissioned oil and gas platforms into artificial reefs supports diverse marine ecosystems and biodiversity, offering increased opportunities for recreational fishing and tourism," said Jason Schratwieser, President of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). “These structures create crucial habitats for marine life and the IGFA views the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act as a win-win-win for our domestic energy industry, sustainable fisheries, and the marine ecosystems that we rely on."

“There is arguably no fish habitat type as popular and productive as offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of America,” said Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association. “The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act is a well-crafted solution to ensure these structures safely remain in place to continue providing ecosystem benefits that support the nation’s recreational fishing industry.”

Background

In 1984, Congress passed the National Fishing Enhancement Act (Public Law 98-623, Title II) due to increased interest and participation in fishing at offshore oil and gas platforms and widespread support for effective artificial reef development by coastal states. The Act recognizes the social and economic values in developing artificial reefs, establishes national standards for artificial reef development, provides for the creation of a National Artificial Reef Plan, and establishes a reef-permitting system.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is responsible for permitting the placement and eventual removal of temporary facilities on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). When an OCS Lease expires and/or development and production operations cease, companies are obligated to decommission and remove their facilities and clear the seabed of all obstructions. BSEE responded to coastal states' concerns about losing the marine life that had developed on and around these temporary oil and gas structures by adopting a national Rigs-to-Reefs policy.

To participate in the BSEE Rigs-to-Reefs program, a coastal state must have an approved, state-specific artificial reef plan. All five Gulf Coast states have approved artificial reef plans: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Louisiana and Texas are the primary participants in Rigs-to-Reefs since most platforms are installed offshore of those two states.

The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act amends the National Fishing Enhancement Act to require a federal assessment of the relationship between offshore infrastructure and marine ecosystems to determine whether converting to an artificial reef is appropriate. It also amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to provide flexibility within the decommissioning process to encourage greater participation in state-run rigs-to-reefs programs while ensuring the safety of the environment and fisheries. This process helps mitigate the environmental impact of full platform removal while conserving vital fishing grounds. The bill maintains the requirement that any associated wells must be plugged and sealed just as they would be if the platform were to be towed to shore and scrapped on land.

Facts and Figures:

• NOAA estimates that fish densities are 20 to 50 times higher around energy infrastructure in the Gulf than in open water. Infrastructure removal will adversely affect fishery health. This legislation will allow states to keep energy infrastructure as artificial reefs to allow these critical habitats to thrive.
• Energy infrastructure serves as popular commercial and recreational fishing destinations. A 2020 BOEM study estimates that 48% of Gulf amberjack biomass is associated with energy infrastructure.
• A typical four-leg structure provides two to three acres of habitat for hundreds of marine species.

The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act is endorsed by the American Sportfishing Association, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Center for Sportfishing Policy, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, International Game Fish Association, National Professional Anglers Association, and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

Read the full bill text here.

###