Six-Year Study

UCSB Marine Research Biologist Dr. Milton Love and his colleagues have conducted years of research on the fishes surrounding Southern California’s offshore oil platforms. Their report, The Ecological Role of Oil and Gas Production Platforms and Natural Outcrops on Fishes in Southern California, is a synthesis of data collected over a six-year period.

• June 29, 2006 Press Release – California Offshore Platforms Are Critical Habitat for Overfished Species [Word Document]
• Dr. Milton Love’s full report [PDF format, 3629k]
• Executive Summary [PDF format, 385k]
• Key Facts [PDF format, 68k]
• Q & A [PDF format, 46k]
• Glossary [PDF format, 69k]

Related Research

Additional research about platform reefs can be found below.

• Findings from “An Economic Analysis of a Rigs to Reefs Program for the California Outer Continental Shelf” (Robert W. Hahn and Anne Layne-Farrar) [Word Document]
• Ecological Performance of OCS Platforms as Fish Habitat Off California (Love et al 2004-2005) [PDF format, 721k]
• Distribution of Boccacio (Sebastes Paucispinis) and Cowcod (Sebastes Levis) Around Oil Platforms and Natural Outcrops Off California With Implications for Larval Prodcution (Love et al 2005) [PDF format, 1.1mb]