The Gulf of Mexico--A Management Perspective

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) must foster developmentof marine mineral resources while protecting environmental resourcesand giving attention to other matters of social and economicconcern. In the conduct of its mission, MMS has, in recent years,sponsored a great deal of scientific research on the physicalenvironment and living resources of the northern Gulf of Mexico.The present article presents both the general management perspectiveand the regional management perspective of MMS, and it detailshow the scientific knowledge aids in dealing with concerns ofthe Agency. The general management perspective takes into accountthe resource and industry being regulated and the legislativeand regulatory framework, as well as the risk setting, socialsetting, and environmental setting. Application of each of theseelements within the eight regions of the northern Gulf permitsfocus upon matters of particular management concern. To date,there has been some environmental enhancement as a result ofoil and gas development activities in the northern Gulf andlittle deterioration of the marine environment. In general,the impacts of offshore oil and gas activities are manifestedin the coastal zone.