8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report

(Date of earliest event reported): December 16, 2003

BARNWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	1-5103	72-0496921
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
1100 Alakea Street, Suite 2900, Honolulu, Hawaii		96813
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(808) 531-8400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

ITEM 5.  Other Events

Barnwell Industries, Inc. issued a press release on December 16, 2003 regarding the appointment of a new director and promotions, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Exhibit 99.1               Press Release dated December 16, 2003.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

BARNWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.     
(Registrant)

          /s/ Russell M. Gifford          

Russell M. Gifford

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: December 16, 2003

EX-99

      CONTACT:         Alexander C. Kinzler
                                    President and Chief Operating Officer

                                    Russell M. Gifford
                                    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

                                    Tel: (808) 531-8400

BARNWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. ANNOUNCES

APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR AND PROMOTIONS

        HONOLULU, HAWAII, December 16, 2003 -- Barnwell Industries, Inc., (ASE-BRN) announced today the appointment of Ms. Diane G. Kranz to its Board of Directors. Ms. Kranz is a senior partner at Kranz & Co., LLP (certified public accountants) in New York, New York since 1970. Barnwell also announced the promotion of Mark A. Murashige to Vice President and Controller and Mr. Joseph R. Downs III was promoted to Manager, Information Services.