Fish Mortality Data from Explosive Oil Platform Removal in Gulf of Mexico

86% of estimated fish mortality from explosive platform removal was attributed to four species: Atlantic spadefish, blue runner, red snapper, and sheepshead. This dataset from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contains the first quantitative study on this topic, with data collected between 1993 and 1999. Its findings were incorporated into red snapper stock assessments, showing minimal impact on overall abundance estimates.

Use Cases

• Assessing species-specific mortality rates from explosive removal of offshore structures.
• Incorporating anthropogenic mortality data into fish stock assessment models.
• Analyzing the relative impact on key commercial and recreational species like red snapper.
• Evaluating the ecological consequences of oil and gas infrastructure decommissioning methods.

Strengths

• Data represents the first quantitative study on fish mortality from explosive platform removal.
• Findings were integrated into official stock assessment analyses for red snapper.
• Covers a multi-year time range from 1993 to 1999.
• Identifies four primary impacted species accounting for 86% of estimated mortality.

Limitations

• Column names and row counts are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: one reports 1999-05-25, while others report 2026-03-06, suggesting a metadata inconsistency.
• Specific data collection methodology and granularity are not detailed.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Field study to assess impacts of explosive removal of offshore oil and gas structures.

Time Range

1993 to 1999

Freshness

2026-03-06 00:22:12.323168

Geography

Gulf of Mexico