Submarine activity also occurred just offshore at the northern and southern ends of the fissure.
It is further estimated that approximately 84% of the undiscovered oil and gas occurs offshore.
Spawning occurs offshore, in late spring to early summer.
When an earthquake occurs offshore, sometimes the result is a devastating wall of water that engulfs coastal areas.
Most of the sport fishing occurs offshore, about five miles out.
Some of the most predictable winds occur offshore, which, of course, adds to construction costs.
"Substantial numbers of diving sea ducks occur offshore."
Another fatality occurred offshore after a man went missing while taking his family canoeing.
The reef has a number of fingers of hard coral occurring in progressively deeper water offshore.
It was further estimated that approximately 84% of the oil and gas would occur offshore.