Treasure hunting to be banned in Nova Scotia waters

[Alexandre]

Treasure hunting to be banned in N.S. waters
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 2, 2010 | 9:43 PM AT Comments14Recommend9
The Canadian Press
Nova Scotia has introduced legislation that would put an end to all underwater commercial treasure hunting along its coast.

First announced in July, the repeal of the Treasure Trove Act and amendments to the Special Places Protection Act would see all treasure hunting for commercial purposes end on Jan. 1, 2011.

Provincial officials said there are currently five outstanding permits that will expire on that date.

Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell said the move will bring Nova Scotia in line with other provinces and with a United Nations convention on the protection of underwater cultural heritage.

Liberal Andrew Younger, an avid diver, said the legislation is important in that it helps protect cultural artifacts for future generations.

He said it enables legitimate archeological research to continue, while limiting the amount of artifacts that may end up in private collections around the world.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia...#ixzz14MXkf27b

[Bum Luck]

Treasure hunting to be banned in N.S. waters
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 2, 2010 | 9:43 PM AT Comments14Recommend9
The Canadian Press
Nova Scotia has introduced legislation that would put an end to all underwater commercial treasure hunting along its coast.

First announced in July, the repeal of the Treasure Trove Act and amendments to the Special Places Protection Act would see all treasure hunting for commercial purposes end on Jan. 1, 2011.

Provincial officials said there are currently five outstanding permits that will expire on that date.

Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell said the move will bring Nova Scotia in line with other provinces and with a United Nations convention on the protection of underwater cultural heritage.

Liberal Andrew Younger, an avid diver, said the legislation is important in that it helps protect cultural artifacts for future generations.

He said it enables legitimate archeological research to continue, while limiting the amount of artifacts that may end up in private collections around the world.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia...#ixzz14MXkf27b

Well, it works OK in our Great Lakes, but here the stuff lasts forever (at least up to the time of zebra mussels). And did I mention, there's hardly ever anything 'valuable' on the wrecks.

How does it work in the ocean, though, if no one ever looks for or finds it, or has the money to bring at least some stuff up.

I mean, here's how to think about it: Key West with Mel Fisher, or Key West without Mel Fisher.

[ivan salis]

when there no legal work to be had --things will be looted and sold black market to put food on the table -- laws like this makes folks who would otherwize work honestly salvaging stuff normally for a living turn to being a pirate because bottom line at the end of the day --one has to make money to feed ones family ==and if the govt makes it so you can not make a "legal" living --you will have to make a illegal one instead.

and while the govt is powerful --they can not be at all shipwrecks at all times -- so looters got the edge -- govt forces will be spread thin and can only be in so many places at once --the forner salvors will bell the cat -- keeping one another advised on where the "cat" is at -- much the way truckers let one another by radio code "talk" and head light flashing where the cops are laying in wait at

[piratediver]

This legislation does the exact opposite of what it is supposed to: it removes the legal avenue to recovery and will certainly increase the rate of pillage. I worked for a salvor there on a wreck from 1725 with all required permits which necessitated reams of paperwork and ostensibly gave us government protection of the site. On more than one occasion we found dive gear lost by "visitors" to the site despite this promise of state security. Just imagine what will happen now that the looters don't have to worry about running into permit holders!


Pirate Diver

[Bum Luck]

promise of state security

That's a laugh!