- Weakfish ( Cynoscion regal is ) Occurs from Gulf of Mexico to 

 Massachusetts Bay and is mainly a coastal fish. It is a major 

 sport fish in both OCS areas. 



- Swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) Occurs in all oceanic areas - not coast- 

 ally dependent. Is common over the continental shelf of both OCS 

 areas, but more abundant north of Mew Jersey. 



- White merlin ( Tetrapturus aloidus ) Oceanic in Atlantic Ocean - common 

 south of New Jersey especially in summer. Occurs along continental 

 shelf edge and beyond. Major sport fishing off Maryland and Delaware. 



- Blue marl in ( Makaira nigricans ) Oceanic in distribution; primarily 

 beyond continental shelf edge. Major sport fishing centers at 

 North Carolina and South Atlantic OCS area. 



5.1 SPILLS AND LEAKS 



The Santa Barbara blow-out and oil spill in 1969 produced such a public 

 outcry that offshore leasing outside the Gulf of Mexico ceased while the 

 government reevaluated its policies regarding stiffer regulations and stricter 

 enforcement. Environmentalists conclude that oil spills are inevitable, no 

 matter how strict tne safeguards may be. Potential damage to marine life 

 and coastal -dependent economies warrant cautious leasing practices (5, p. 2). 



Exploratory drilling is one of the most hazardous steps in the develop- 

 ment of offshore energy resources, due to the possibility of a blowout 

 (21, p. 58). A heavy fluid called "drilling mud" is circulated in the drill 

 hole to counteract the rapid change in geologic structure pressure or the 

 possible sudden flow of oil or gas. The blowout risk is proportional to 

 hole depth and formation pressures. There is no geologic reason to believe 

 that high formation pressures would be encountered in offshore Georgia 

 (17, p. 180), or in the Baltimore Canyon area. 



Spill potential exists in tanker groundings, transshipment accidents, 

 pipeline ruptures, production equipment failure, human error, and other 

 minor sources of spills and leaks. The chances for major casualties or 



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