{"id":40093520,"date":"2023-09-04T15:16:52","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T14:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chinadialogueocean.net\/?p=93520"},"modified":"2023-09-28T17:34:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T16:34:21","slug":"a-disused-oil-rig-in-peru-flourishes-as-an-accidental-reef-can-it-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/ocean\/a-disused-oil-rig-in-peru-flourishes-as-an-accidental-reef-can-it-last\/","title":{"rendered":"A disused oil rig in Peru flourishes as an accidental reef. Can it last?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At five o\u2019clock in the morning, the skies begin to clear over the Los \u00d3rganos docks in northern Peru, less than 200 kilometres from the border with Ecuador. As dozens of boats loaded with fish begin to arrive at the port, pelicans, turtles, sea lions and seagulls congregate to gorge on any leftover catch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few kilometres off shore, away from the buzz of activity in this small fishing hub, stands a rusting oil platform that has attracted attention after finding a new and unexpected purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MX-1 rig, which was retired in 2011 after more than two decades in operation, has since become a marine biodiversity hotspot, researchers say. \u201cThis is the habitat of many species, new to science as well as endemic,\u201d says Yuri Hooker, a marine biologist with more than 30 years\u2019 experience researching the Peruvian sea. He says manta rays, whale sharks and meadows of sea fan corals can be found around the platform, as well as a seemingly \u201cinfinite\u201d abundance of fish species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"damselfish<\/div>
The ecosystem of the platform hosts damselfishes and other species vital to small-scale fishing in northern Peru, so it attracts many artisanal fishers and divers (Image: Yuri Hooker)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"fish<\/div>
A throatspotted blenny amid a blanket of colonial anemones and brittle starfish arms. The MX-1 platform has become a marine biodiversity hotspot. (Image: Yuri Hooker)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

But soon, the accidental reef may have to be removed due to legal requirements. Marine biologists, conservationists and many in local communities are worried that this rich newfound ecosystem will disappear along with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An unexpected ecosystem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The MX-1 platform is one of seven disused oil platforms along Peru\u2019s northern coast \u2013 all owned by state oil company Petroper\u00fa \u2013 that are currently facing removal. But, having emerged as an underwater sanctuary, it has attracted the most attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anchored off Los \u00d3rganos since 1985, the end of the search for oil at MX-1 and its subsequent abandonment allowed the rig to flourish as the home of 26 fish species and 57 invertebrate species, according to the latest study<\/a> by Hooker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rough surfaces of the MX-1 structure are ideal for marine organisms to attach to, Hooker explains. The solid piles anchored to the seabed encourage the habitation of corals, invertebrates and algae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"pair<\/div>
A pair of anemones attached to a marine sponge over a metre long. The rough surfaces of the MX-1 structure are ideal for marine organisms to attach to. (Image: Yuri Hooker)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"orange<\/div>
Several species of sea slug have been recorded in MX-1, including some new to science. The meeting of ocean currents here fosters life. (Image: Yuri Hooker)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

MX-1\u2019s location among warm waters and the meeting of ocean currents has helped to create an abundant ecosystem. Though the region sees seasonal variations, the sea off Los \u00d3rganos has an average annual surface temperature of around 20C<\/a>, while the warm South Pacific Current converges here with the cold Humboldt Current. The latter transports colder water and nutrients from the depths to the surface and helps biological productivity in the Los \u00d3rganos area, feeding the entire trophic chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conditions of this part of the Peruvian sea have turned MX-1 into a habitat for millions of micro-organisms, which then serve as a feast for fish species such as jack mackerel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also abundant damselfish and two species vital to small-scale fishing in northern Peru: threadfin bass<\/a> and southern rock bass<\/a>. For this reason, the platform has attracted artisanal fishers and divers. It has also become a resting point for coastal and oceanic birds, sea lions, dolphins and manta rays. Meanwhile, during their migration season of July to October, humpback whales may be seen leaping from nearby waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"two<\/div>
Many companies run diving tours around the platform, which is said to be one of the best spots for the activity in Peru. Local tourism businesses are calling for MX-1 to be conserved. (Image: Yuri Hooker)\u00a0\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is one of the best diving spots in Peru and to lose it would be a shame, both for ecotourism, conservation and artisanal fishing,\u201d says Adriana Zavala, a marine biologist and founder of the Chelonia dive centre, which works in this part of the country. Companies such as hers have been running tours around the platform since 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zavala highlights the ambiguity of regulations surrounding MX-1\u2019s removal, and a lack of specific regulations for artificial reefs in Peru. These may threaten the range of economic activities that have sprung up around the platform in its second life, she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n