Restrictions   to   access   in-the-field  cultural  heritage  is
necessary   as  the  diver  population  grows.  Most  divers  are
allienated  from  the  historical,  biological,  legal  and other
aspects related to their activity and that is why many abuse.

I  have  seen  kilometers of destroyed reefs off Eilat during the
early  80's  due  to the "I take a piece home" philosophy. Only a
harsh  regulation  by  the  Israeli  government could save unique
reefs  off  Dahab,  Sharm El Sheik, Ras Mohammed and elsewhere in
the Sinai peninsula.

*****************************************************************
The  same  applies to wildlife and ecological systems: the US has
achieved   the   highest   degree   excellency  in  wildlife/park
management  due  to very early government regulation (dating from
the late 1800's). So dont whin. There is a Congressional Research
Service  doing  daily  monitoring to the US Congress in these and
other  related  matters.  And I am not aware of any other country
which  puts  so  much  attention/funds/efforts/know-how,  etc. to
conservation.
*****************************************************************

While   I   may  agree  the  Scandinavians  may  have  a  somehow
"pathologic  control  mentality",  you  mention  that  Greece has
banned  diving  but  you  do  not  say why: divers (not precisely
Hellenic  ones) have destroyed both marine archeological findings
and  Hellenic cultural heritage to such a degree, diving became a
"national problem": you dont go to the Parthenon and take a piece
home, you see ? And the same applies uw.

Now,  some  of  the  more "libertarian" techdivers will "burst in
anger" as they realize police and government control will cut off
their "freedom".

Policing  and  regulations  are  caused  by  knowledge,  cultural
identity,  a  will  to  preserve heritage and, most of all, clear
abuses.

cheers,

aldo.solari@ho*.se*
www.ccbb.ulpgc.es/fish-ecology/solaris
___

setohw@ya*.co*

SJ> Here's  a  website with an on-line manual for conservation of
SJ> everything  from bone to metal to leather to paper. If you're
SJ> gonna  pick  it up, this is a good place to learn how to save
SJ> it:   http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/ANTH605/File0.htm  -Seth
SJ> Gilldiver@ao*.co*  wrote:  If  I  might add a few comments to
SJ> what  has  been  being  posted.  I  am working with the State
SJ> archaeologist  in  Connecticut. I found that you cannot fight
SJ> them  as  they  have the "Academic" background that get their
SJ> side  heard  by the law makers. But if you work with them you
SJ> may be able to guide their actions to avoid those wrecks that
SJ> you as a diver want to dive.

SJ> If  you  don't try to work with them you may find that wrecks
SJ> are  going to be restricted. Don't believe me? Take a look at
SJ> the  UK  where  all  naval  war  wrecks  may be posted as off
SJ> limits.  Or for the Great Lakes try Michigan where if you get
SJ> caught  taking  an  artifact from a wreck it is a felony. You
SJ> want more restrictions: try Greece where they actually banned
SJ> diving form most areas at one time (many are still banned) or
SJ> Finland   where  just  to  dive  a  wreck  you  need  advance
SJ> permission, have to notify the Coast Guard when you enter the
SJ> water,  notify  them when you leave the water, and don't even
SJ> try to use a side scan or depth sounder to find a wreck.

SJ> Now how do you get the background to work with them? The best
SJ> place  I  have  found is the Nautical Archaeological Society.
SJ> Take a look at them at: http://www.nasportsmouth.org.uk/

SJ> Their  system  is  built to be used by sport/wreck divers and
SJ> teaches  basic  artifact data collection and preservation. Do
SJ> some  of  the  data  collection  and present it to your local
SJ> State  archaeologists  and  you may find that their positions
SJ> just may soften.

SJ> As for artifact preservation - lets face it all we collect is
SJ> brass  and glass, most of us don't know how to preserve wood,
SJ> paper, leather, etc. It is not easy and can cost a lot.

SJ> Peter Johnson 


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