Oil and gas industry conflicts on the outer continental shelf

Conflicts between the fisheries industry and oil and gas exploration and production activities have occurred in all regions of the OCS. The primary, and most persistent, suggestions of conflict have been claims of fixed fishing gear damage resulting from geological and geophysical exploration activities and mobile fishing gear damage from bottom debris in oil and gas exploration and production areas. Other potential conflicts are ascribed to competition for docking space and spatial exclusion of fisheries from fishing grounds. Additional conflicts result from the perceived risk to fishing livelihoods, which many fishermen attribute to the potential that an oil spill may occur during oil and gas industry activities. Since 1973, MMS has provided funding for over $111 million of biological research studies, many of which are directly applicable for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential conflicts between the oil and gas and fishing industries. The MMS continues to strive to minimize OCS conflicts between oil and gas industry activities and fisheries by using the information obtained from environmental studies to develop deferral alternatives, stipulations on leases, and Information to Lessees and Notices to Lessees com­munications.