Geophysical offshore oil explorations and associated fishery problems

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Rulifson, R. L. and R. W. Schoning

Publish Date: April 1963

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: Cedric.X.Cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Conflict in the utilization of natural resources to a problem of long standing. In many instances it is real and serious, while in others there is little justifiable basis for disagreement. Misinformation, hasty generalizations, misunderstandings, and faulty conclusions may contribute to the strife, notwithstanding the fact that all persons involved_sincerely believe they are right or are being wronged. There have been honest, sincere, and very strong differences of option on oil exploration in offshore waters of Oregon and its actual and potential effect on the fish stocks and fisheries. Opinions vary from the bottom fish will disappear in a very few years, to no significant damage is being done. Conventional seismic work began in offshore waters of Oregon in 1961, when the State Land Board issued a permit to Shell Oil Company. Permits were issued to Gulf, Union and Standard Oil Companies at the same time for non-explosive type seismic work. As provided in Shell's permit, the licensee paid expenses for a representative of the Oregon Fish Commission to observe company activities and prevent undue damage to the fisheries resource. In 1962 Standard Oil Company as well as Shell conducted conventional seismic work. Union and Superior Oil Companies made studies using non°explosive geophysical apparatus. The Oregon Game Commission supplied an observer for the Standard operations and the Fish Commission continued with Shell. Several offshore fishermen have developed increasing opposition to the operations, strongly advocating that all offshore seismic exploration be terminated until evidence conclusively demonstrates no damage is being done to marine life. The Fish-commission feels that lack of information is one of the main reasons for the widely divergent views, and that if all of the pertinent material relating to seismic work were assembled in readily understandable form~ there would be little serious disagreement. With this as a premise, Fish Commission.personnel have collected and summarized appropriate information. It is sincerely hoped that this report will provide the badly needed missing link so that the fishermen and oil companies can work in harmony, each utilizing a natural resource without jeopardizing the activities or future of the other. If it does, it will have served its purpose well.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content:

Geographic Extent: Not Available

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF file

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source:

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Not yet described

Bibliography Information

Field Name	Value
Biblio ID	3121
Year	1963
Publisher
Request Type	Report
Location	Coast, OR
Date Created	5/20/2001 9:45:01
Date Cataloged	5/20/2001 9:45:01
Date Published	1963
Type
Pages	1-46
Volume	1
Status	0
Descriptor	Coast, OR
Date Entered	1/1/1999
Location In Clackamas Library
Author
Duplicates
Number Remaining After Requests	18
Presumed All Distributed
Back Room Duplicates
Author	Rulifson, R.L.; Schoning, R.W.
Risk
Species
Disposition Of Requests	State Archive: Request filled

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Yes