If you have ever traveled into the Gulf of Mexico or flown over the region, hundreds of oilrigs also known as oil platforms can be seen. The Gulf of Mexico is home to one of the world’s largest crude oil supply, stored deep beneath the great waters. Depending on the type of drilling that is to be done, some of these rigs stand for up to three years.
Through many years of research, the Minerals Management Service discovered a great link between the rigs and the aquamarine community. Fish and aquatic wildlife of many different species make their home deep beneath the water’s surface around the structure of these offshore rigs. Fishermen, scuba divers and the coastal communities surrounding the Gulf of Mexico have long lobbied the oil and gas community and the federal government to not remove the obsolete or non-productive platforms. The fishermen have found that some of the best catches can be found near these rigs. Scuba divers, like the gamesmen, claim that the most colorful dives can be had at these older rig sights due to the structure becoming an artificial reef.