NOIA Applauds Advancement of Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act to Strengthen Offshore Rigs-to-Reefs

Offshore energy infrastructure becomes valuable marine habitat, supporting an abundance of fish and other marine life. That is especially important in the Gulf of America, where natural reef habitat is limited. Rigs-to-Reefs provides a proven way to preserve that habitat and extend the benefits of offshore infrastructure long after energy production ends.

The bipartisan Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act builds on that success by creating a clearer, more workable process for converting eligible offshore structures into permanent artificial reefs. More than 600 former offshore platforms have already been reefed in the Gulf of America, supporting marine life, fisheries, recreation, and coastal communities.

We thank Representatives Mike Ezell and Troy Carter for their leadership and for working across the aisle on a practical conservation solution. We appreciate the House Natural Resources Committee advancing the bill and look forward to continued bipartisan progress in Congress.