Habitat value of subsea wells and pipelines for fishery target species in Australia

Subsea pipelines and wells installed to support the oil gas industry represent some of most extensive numerous anthropogenic structures throughout global marine ecosystems. There remains a paucity information on habitat value these for fishery target species and, as result, little understanding how decommissioning should be conducted minimise impacts populations economically socially important species. We assess diversity abundance that are targets recreational commercial fisheries 33 subsea 17 across tropical northwest temperate southeast regions Australia. examine relationships between fish identity range environmental (e.g., depth, location), infrastructure-specific pipeline position, diameter, age, length pipeline, height well, position well), biological (% cover epibiota) variables using video filmed by remotely operated vehicles during their routine offshore inspection maintenance campaigns. A total 100 were observed well infrastructure, 56 uniquely nine unique wells. The families Lutjanidae (snapper), Serranidae (rock cods, groupers, perch), Carangidae (trevallies) common abundant both pipelines. In northwest, lutjanids around base wells, in shallow depths, shorter where spanned seafloor. greater number ocean perch ( Helicolenus spp.) also associated with seafloor combined biomass three snapper was 1,270 kg, production levels each estimated 105.2 g m 2 year -1 . present study serves an reference point informing decisions infrastructure demonstrates utility industry-held data science. suggest key predictor identified here incorporated into comprehensive before-after-control-impact scientific studies specific fields/assets enable prediction potential scenarios communities quantification such after activity has occurred.