ABSTRACT
Most maritime countries have an underwater cultural heritage and many have a long and important history in maritime activities. In some cases, this underwater heritage—largely ancient shipwreck sites—has been looted by divers and treasure hunters and, as a result, what little that survives needs to be preserved. In such cases, the immediate task is to set in place measures that, in the long and short term, will actively discourage the destruction of underwater cultural heritage. What is required is appropriate legislation and a cultural resource management plan.
