Use of retired oil and gas platforms for fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico

Petroleum resources are declining on the continental shelf and will, eventually, result in the loss of ~ 30,000 jobs in related industries. Retired oil and gas platforms could be redeployed to culture fish and employ citizens in coastal areas. The Energy Policy Act 2005 Section 388 of Public Law [PL] 109-58 30 CFR 285.1000 Subpart J encourages the use of the retired structures for alternate uses. At present, there are no fishermen currently taking advantage of this legislation. We suggest amending existing laws to improve the likelihood that retired platforms are used to culture fish and invertebrates. In the future, the abandoned oil and gas infrastructure could also be used to recover stranded petroleum and reserves located in deeper horizons.