The MIT study about Georges Bank examined a worst-case scenario of 

 the impact of an oil spill on adult finfish populations and the inter- 

 ference of oil development equipment and production platforms with 

 fishing. It concluded that, although the regional costs of such losses 

 would be minimal, a small segment of the human population would be affected 

 severely. For this reason, it stressed the importance of compensation 

 to individual fishermen suffering losses. This conclusion was reaffirmed 

 by the University of Rhode Island Study: Fishing and Petroleum Inter- 

 action on Georges Bank . 



The economic impact on the fishing industry of the presence of oil- 

 related facilities and activities was also examined in the University of 

 Rhode Island fish-oil study? 5 In calculating a worst-case estimate of 

 the loss of fishing ground due to platform installations, the study con- 

 cluded that only 1.2 percent of the dollar value of Georges Bank landings 

 would be affected. Areas most likely to be affected are the grounds for 

 sea scallops and flounder. Reduction in these stocks would most severely 

 affect the New Bedford fleet. It was also determined that debris on the 

 sea floor and conflicts between oil-related craft and fishing vessels 

 could result in substantial losses to individual fishermen. The study 

 also examined competition between oil and fishing interests for port 

 facilities and workers. Loss of crews to the oil industry is a major 

 concern, especially since the demand for labor in the fishing industry 

 is expected to increase in the near future. While petroleum development 

 would provide employment for no more than 2,000 New Englanders, the fish- 

 ing industry is expected to need 6,000 fishermen in the same period. The 

 major fishing ports which could be affected by such competition are 



shown in Figure 7. 



39 



