“ There is an ecological , economic and social benefit to repurposing these structures as reefs — not only in California , but around the world .”
— AMBER JACKSON , MAS ' 14
Alumnae Amber Jackson , MAS ' 14 and Emily Callahan , MAS ' 14 at the Scripps Pier . Photo : Theresa Stafford / Black Hand Gallery
DIFFICULTIES IN PERCEPTION arise from ownership rights , liability issues , and above all , overcoming the irony that something so widely seen as an enemy of the environment may be repurposed to its benefit . In a nutshell , the Rigs-to-Reefs process still holds platform operators responsible for removing drilling infrastructure and capping and sealing the well — and permanently liable for any damages thereafter — but the upper portion of the rig is cut and towed to an alternate location or toppled on its side .
Some environmental groups oppose the Rigs-to-Reefs program because it transfers liability of the structure from the oil companies to the state or the Department of Fish and Wildlife , and they also look askance at how the program saves oil companies upwards of millions of dollars on the cost involved to remove and dispose of such enormous structures — some as tall as the Empire State Building . Those savings , however , are split 50 / 50 with the state , which is required to use the money for marine conservation and education — a silver lining , according to Callahan and Jackson .
“ The future of conservation is that you ’ re going to have to work with the government , you have to work with oil companies , you have to work with the ‘ bad guys ’ if you want to change what they are ’ doing and make a positive impact for the environment ,” says
Jackson . “ Emily and I are not pro oil and gas development ; we ’ re working on decommissioning the end life stage of these platforms . But I just love the challenge of trying to communicate that there is an ecological , economic and social benefit to repurposing these structures as reefs — not only in California , but around the world .”
IN ORDER TO CONVEY this message , Callahan and Jackson co-founded Blue Latitudes , an organization that uses scientific research to form a comprehensive study of the ecological , socio-economic and advocacy issues surrounding California ’ s Rigs-to-Reefs law and program . Blue Latitudes provides neutral and scientifically based consulting services to various clients , including gas and oil companies and environmental groups alike .
Blue Latitudes also has partnered with the Mission Blue initiative to operate a nonprofit organization focused on education and outreach , forging relationships with teachers and schools across San Diego and Los Angeles and developing unique classroom curriculum about marine science .
But the true secret is in the duo ’ s digital savvy — they constantly update their social media accounts with stunning images from their latest diving adventures and information about their latest projects . They also
educate audiences through a YouTube channel called ScienceSea TV , through their website , and as guest bloggers on National Geographic .
“ One thing I think we really took away from our master ’ s program at Scripps and at the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation was not only understanding the science , but also understanding how to communicate it effectively ,” says Jackson .
And like the world-spanning nature of their name , the ladies of Blue Latitudes already have plans to bring their expertise to waters across the globe . In March 2017 , they will explore and assess the platforms off the coast of Malaysia . Their long-term goals include researching the oil and gas platforms of Southeast Asia and Australia , all the while following their overarching goal of thinking creatively about the resources that we have .
“ Our general message of Blue Latitudes is to dig a little deeper ,” said Callahan . “ Rigs-to-Reefs is definitely not ‘ Save the Whales .’ It ’ s not as easy . It ’ s not as digestible . But if you dig a little deeper , there ’ s a lot of really interesting science there , and a lot of interesting pathways to go down .”
View more stunning photos and underwater videos at tritonmag . com / bluelatitudes
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