Administrative Law, Foreign & International Law, Oceanography, Law, Earth Sciences 

The underwater cultural heritage is a field in which there has been growing international interest. Shipwrecks and other underwater cultural remains are facing the increasing risk of serious damage or destruction through the deliberate actions of treasure seekers and souvenir hunters, and also through activities such as commercial development, pipeline and cable-laying, dredging, fishing and tourism. Coastal waters are now under considerable pressure from such activities and even the deepest parts of the seabed have become accessible and therefore vulnerable. While some jurisdictions have had protective legislation in place for some time, others have only recently begun to contemplate it, and the approaches taken or being considered vary significantly. This volume comprises a collection of essays examining the law, practice and experience in a number of jurisdictions. Part I consists of thirteen national perspectives, while Part II comprises a discussion of the position of cultural remains in international waters. The contributors come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have specialist knowledge of their particular jurisdiction and a keen interest in the field. The work provides a valuable source of comparative material, which should be of interest to all those concerned with protecting the underwater cultural heritage. - from Amzon