Evidence of fish following towed oil and gas platforms to a reefing site and rapid colonisation.

We investigated the composition and abundance of fish assemblages associated with seven offshore oil and gas platform jackets in the Gulf of Thailand before (pre-lift and pre-tow), and immediately after relocation (post-tow and reefed). Jackets were cut, lifted until partly out of the water, and attached to the rear of a heavy lift vessel. They were towed at speeds of 2.7 - 3.3 knots for between 133.9 and 205.4 km before being placed on the seafloor at an artificial reef site. Sixteen species of fish were observed both before and after jacket towing. We believe these species have sought refuge in the complex structures out of the current and have remained with the jackets. Ten species of fish were observed before towing, but not after. A further seven species of fish were only observed after the jackets were relocated onto the seafloor and were assumed to be early colonisers to the structures. The paper provides empirical evidence of a much-discussed paradigm that fish can swim great distances following moved structures, and further evidence of the ability of fish to rapidly colonise reefed structures.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Euan S. Harvey reports financial support, administrative support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, travel, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Michael Marnane reports financial support, administrative support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, travel, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Karl D. Schramm reports financial support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Damon Driessen reports financial support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Laura A. Fullwood reports financial support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Benjamin J. Saunders reports financial support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Se Songploy reports financial support, administrative support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and travel were provided by Chevron Inc. Jes Kettratad reports financial support, administrative support, article publishing charges, and statistical analysis were provided by Chevron Inc. Paweena Sitaworawet reports financial support, administrative support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Sarin Chaiyakul reports financial support, administrative support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, travel, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Anchalee Chankong reports article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Nararat Chantarawat reports article publishing charges, statistical analysis, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Travis S. Elsdon reports financial support, administrative support, article publishing charges, statistical analysis, travel, and writing assistance were provided by Chevron Inc. Euan S Harvey reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: funding grants and non-financial support. Michael J. Marnane reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: employment and non-financial support. Karl D. Schramm reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: funding grants and non-financial support. Damon Driessen reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: funding grants and non-financial support. Laura A. Fullwood reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: funding grants and non-financial support. Benjamin J. Saunders reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: funding grants and non-financial support. Se Songploy reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: funding grants and non-financial support. Jes Kettratad reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: funding grants and non-financial support. Paweena Sitaworawet reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: employment and non-financial support. Sarin Chaiyakul reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: employment and non-financial support. Anchalee Chankong reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: non-financial support. Nararat Chantarawat reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: non-financial support. Travis S. Elsdon reports a relationship with Chevron Inc that includes: employment and non-financial support.
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