[Coral-List] removal of rigs

[Steve Mussman]

   As is often the case, the devil is in the details. Somehow these rigs need
   to cut down to a depth that does not comprise a navigational hazard. At the
   same time they would need to be shallow enough to promote continued reef
   growth and fish habitat. In addition, there remains the issue of continued
   inspection of the well heads and remaining pipe line to protect against
   undetected oil leaks.
   It's likely that the oil companies would prefer to simply abandon them in
   the  name  of  conservation  "to protect" these newly developed marine
   ecosystems. Blowing them up is a bad idea as it reflects both poor policy
   and pardon the pun, a lack of deep understanding of the ecological issues
   involved.
   The fact that environmental groups don't want to intervene is likely a
   result of the animus that has developed between them and the oil companies.
   Ironically, I believe they are missing out on an much needed opportunity to
   promote a dialogue on this and other issues of significance. I hope this
   isn't becoming another proverbial example of adversaries who never miss an
   opportunity to miss an opportunity!
   Regards,
    Steve

   -----Original Message-----
   >From: "Szmant, Alina"
   >Sent: Feb 19, 2013 1:50 PM
   >To: Steve Mussman , Eugene Shinn
   >Cc: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov"
   >Subject: RE: [Coral-List] removal of rigs
   >
   >Seems like the bigger issue is not that they should be removed, but that
   removal should NOT be by blowing them up and killing everything on them!
   Corals could even be removed and transplanted to needy locations like they
   did for Navy seawall in Key West
   >
   >*************************************************************************
   >Dr. Alina M. Szmant
   >Professor of Marine Biology
   >Center for Marine Science and Dept of Biology and Marine Biology
   >University of North Carolina Wilmington
   >5600 Marvin Moss Ln
   >Wilmington NC 28409 USA
   >tel: 910-962-2362 fax: 910-962-2410 cell: 910-200-3913
   >http://people.uncw.edu/szmanta
   >*******************************************************
   >
   >
   >-----Original Message-----
   >From:                          coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
   [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Steve Mussman
   >Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 10:27 AM
   >To: Eugene Shinn
   >Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
   >Subject: Re: [Coral-List] removal of rigs
   >
   >
   > Here is an issue truly replete with irony.
   >
   > While we should all be concerned about the impact of the demolition of
   these
   > artificial reefs and the collateral damage it inflicts on resident fish
   >  populations,  the consternation voiced by the oil industry based on
   distress
   > over environmental impact is difficult to take seriously.
   >
   > The question is, in this case does it really matter.
   >
   > The oil companies would love to be absolved of the liability and expense
   >  that  current  regulations  require.  Sports  fishermen, divers and
   spearfishing
   > enthusiasts are also understandably disturbed over the prospect of losing
   > many of their highly-valued domains.
   >
   > At the same time, these varied affected interests have been conspicuously
   > silent in the debate over the greater threat that climate change presents
   > to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems around the world.
   >
   > It would be nice to think that perhaps this issue might present an
   > opportunity to develop alliances that could coordinate efforts to
   > effectively confront these issues into the future..
   >
   > Regards,
   >
   > Steve
   >
   > For more background on the oil rig issue:
   >
   > [1]http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42189-2005Apr10.htmlis
   >
   > [2]http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39195347/ns/us_news-environment/
   >
   >
   > -----Original Message-----
   > >From: Eugene Shinn
   > >Sent: Feb 18, 2013 4:05 PM
   > >To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
   > >Subject: [Coral-List] removal of rigs
   > >
   > >This may be of interest to people on the list. Gene
   > >
   > >--
   >
   http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/story/Explosive-Fed-Mandate-Killing-Thou
   > sands-of-Red/xj8T4zPamkOGc8fuT40W_Q.cspx
   > >
   > >
   > >No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
   > >------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
   > >E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
   > >University of South Florida
   > >College of Marine Science Room 221A
   > >140 Seventh Avenue South
   > >St. Petersburg, FL 33701
   > >
   > >Tel 727 553-1158
   > >---------------------------------- -----------------------------------
   > >
   > >_______________________________________________
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   > >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
   > >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
   >
   >References
   >
   > 1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42189-2005Apr10.htmlis
   > 2. http://www..nbcnews.com/id/39195347/ns/us_news-environment/
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