CHAPTER 3 



THE IMPACT OF OCS DEVELOPMENT ON 

 LIVING RESOURCES IN THE GULF COAST AREA 1 



3.1 -- INTRODUCTION 



This chapter presents a discussion of OCS-related impacts 

 on the shrimp, oyster, menhaden, fur, and sport fishing 

 industries in Louisiana. Also included is a list of 

 public interest groups and agencies concerned with environ- 

 mental management. While the discussion of ecological effects 

 applies to the entire Gulf Coast area, the specific examples 

 cite only Louisiana because nearly all Gulf OCS development has 

 occurred offshore of Louisiana and has affected the entire 

 coastal zone of the state. By comparison, OCS development in 

 Texas has been minor and has had an impact on only a portion 

 of its coastal zone • There have thus far been only explora- 

 tion activities offshore of Mississippi-Alabama-Florida; no 

 production has yet occurred in that area. 



Wetlands serve as a nursery, habitat, and source of 

 nutrients for many aquatic and fur animals. Destruction of 

 wetlands leads to diminished production from these organisms. 

 Natural and man-made phenomena cause stresses and destruction 

 of the wetland environment. Natural stresses result from 

 wave erosion, hurricanes, natural sedimentation from rivers 

 and streams, natural pollution (such as oil seeps and natural 



Adapted from Mumphrey etal. , 1976a. 



88 



