The Aquarium will host a forum to investigate the issue of decommissioning oil rigs. Once these structures have reached the end of their functional lifespan, drilling operators, government agencies, and surrounding communities must decide what to do with them.
Their fate is of particular importance to ocean ecosystems, because these structures–thousands of feet of steel and concrete–over time are colonized by barnacles, fish, mussels and other marine life, forming an artificial reef. Some envision retired oil rigs as sites for recreational diving and even offshore hotels. Others have concerns about the environmental implications of leaving the equipment in the ocean…
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