Just curious as to the opinions here offshore driving for oil/ lng and its impact on fishing.
The platforms would crest some incredible habit for bait and pelagics but are there negatives (the obvious being a spill).
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
Its a complicated issue. Rigs off the coast would be a tremendous boost to fisheries for fisherman. Look at Louisiana and the unbelievable amounts of fish caught near the rigs. Did you know that Louisiana considers their state lines out to 10 miles for regulations of the red snapper catch. Basically the cajuns decided to tell the feds to but out because there are so many fish to catch around their rigs. Sound familiar? Head out to R7, R8 and R6 to see what structure attracts.
Oil spills and major disasters are rare however very real and the BP oil spill’s impact on estuaries on the gulf coast were significant and very impactful. One example of this was the impact on oyster reefs. It was a disaster and cost us all(federal bailout).Some would argue that the oyster fishing industry on the Gulf Coast was artificially created by the bottling up of the Mississippi river in the first place however no one can deny the destructive nature of the oil spill.Our tides are very different here in SC compared to the Gulf and Im not sure how an oil spill would affect our inshore estuaries but I suspect the rapid movement of water would lesson a major blow. The oil in the gulf coast just sat there with such a slow tide(2-3 ft compared to our 7 ft).The other thing to consider is the huge impact on jobs and the entire industry that would be created for better and worse. Refineries, transportation, shipping, trucking etc…Its very complex but the quick answer is the structure would be great for fishing. I can tell you, its amazing in Louisiana!
Disclosure…Im just an ex Louisianan moved here 12 years ago and love the low country . Id hate for anything to jeopardize our natural resource here which is very special.
The spills are always a big concern but the normal “dripping” is what ruins alot of beautiful habitat. Take a ride down to Galveston Texas some day for a quick stroll down the beach.
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“Praise the lord and pass the ammunition” -Howell Forgy
the east coast offshore will never look anything like the gulf coast. whatever they decide to do, there will not be a huge number of jackets set out like they did 30+ years ago
With earl 31 bux a barrel I don’t see this as a problem for a loooooong time. There is a bunch of area they thought was tapped they can now ■■■■■.
I have no problem with quality of fishing offshore the way it is now. No reason to screw it up IMO
“mr keys”
I was watching a fishing show sunday (i think). Guy catches a monster salmon. He has to send off a piece for testing because of the exxon valdez spill just so he can eat it. That was in 1989!!!
Its a nine hour ride to Fort Morgan Ala. at the mouth of Mobile bay There are 1,000s of well as close as 1 mile off shore and lots in the bay! The fishing is unreel! Many fish the rigs in kayaks. If you have never fished a rig make that trip! You will never regret it except it gets in your blood and you will have to go back!
Wind farm would be cool but it will probably go up further up near NC.
26 Seahunt
Angler’s Dream
Keep in mind, the reason why fishing is good in the gulf is because there are THOUSANDS of oil rigs… If we get 5 oil rigs out of Charleston, do you think somehow there will be a huge school of yellowfin swimming around them and YOU will be the only lucky boat out there fishing? Or will there be the reality that there will be 50 boats circling the same rig?
Also, is our fishery that crappy now? I think our fishery is pretty darn good!
And, how much live bottom has to get destroyed to make this “dream” happen?
Several years ago a ship spilled some crude (I guess). Anyone remember that? Walking along Botany Bay beach my surf cart and shoes were covered in tar-balls. Nasty stuff. I’d hate to see that on a regular basis here.
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2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Sometimes you have to be careful what you ask for…
Opt, didn’t that come from the big ship that run up on Devoes Bank!
A evergreen ship hit a piece of dredge pipe up the cooper some years back…made a mess of things