Florida treasure hunters in jeopardy… Rule 1A-31

(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 14, 2008 ) St. Augustine, FL – Florida’s sunken treasure hunters will square off in full force against the Florida Division of Historical Resources, the Shipwreck Exploration and Salvage Policy Council (SEASPC) announced today.

The treasure hunters oppose new regulations, known as Rule 1A-31, on commercial exploration of sunken ships and recovery of artifacts, as proposed by the Division. Members will appear at a hearing scheduled for October 21, 2008 at noon in the Guana Auditorium, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

“The rule is oppressive to commercial salvors and will do nothing to prevent destruction of artifacts the public deserves a chance to see,” said John Brandon, famed Captain of the 1715 Fleet.

Taffi Fisher Abt, daughter of the late Mel Fisher, added “Only bureaucrats could produce such an expensive, complicated permit program. I’m afraid my kids won’t get to hunt for treasure. I’m fighting for future generations.”

Underwater archeologist James Sinclair, M.A., thinks the rule will impede technological innovation and make it less likely that Floridians will ever have a full picture of the state’s long maritime history. “Florida’s sea beds are assailed by storms and tides. Florida ought to take measures to encourage archeological investigation of wreck sites and careful recovery of artifacts, but this rule will discourage investment by commercial salvors which supplements the State’s meager budget. We’ll lose a huge amount of sunken history if this rule is adopted.” For years, Sinclair has urged a public-private partnership to identify and rescue this endangered resource.

SEASPC has hired Port Orange administrative attorney Mary D. Hansen to challenge the Division’s rule at the hearing. “The rule is poorly drafted, and my clients deserve better. Their livelihoods are at stake,” Hansen said.

For further information, view www.melfisher.com or contact Doug Pope at (904) 838-6619 or email him at doug@ameliaresearch.com.