Page 399 - Green - Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook. 2nd ed
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378 Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook, Second Edition
in extraterritorial waters where the legislation is currently unclear. This means that they likely operate in areas that are extremely remote and where the legislation is uncertain, so they are reasonably sure prosecution can be avoided. Alternatively, this group makes deals with governments that license them to search and recover material on the agreement that they will pay the government and share the proceeds. Such situations cannot be changed at the level of this discussion and will require international pres- sure to encourage a different approach to underwater heritage.
E. COMMERCIAL DIVE CHARTER AND TOURIST OPERATORS
Dive charter operators are a group who are likely to gain considerable financial benefit from a progressive CRM program and, once convinced of its merits, can become strong advocates for protection. If sites can be pro- tected and made available for operators to take their dive groups to visit, then they are likely to increase their business. The program should involve the operators in understanding the nature of the sites through education and training. This would help the operators to improve service. As new sites are discovered, they could participate in the process. This could work in various ways, e.g., operating on a similar basis to guides who take the public on tours of museums and ancient sites. Additionally, the operators could take on roles as inspectors and monitor sites and provide feedback to the government agency. In addition, the program would represent considerable “value-adding” for any tourist. Anything that is likely to engage the visitor and to enhance their visit benefits the tourist industry. By enriching their experience—if positive—tourists will be encouraged to revisit and to per- suade others to come.
F. COMMERCIAL—OTHER
Several groups, including local fishermen (line, net, and trawler), exist within this category This group usually has no incentive for or interest in involvement with underwater cultural heritage, other than that material recovered could potentially be sold, or that the knowledge of the position of a site could be revealed for financial benefit. There are exceptions, but overall this is a difficult group to influence. Possible solutions may be a reward system for information on sites or recruitment as inspectors, although the latter should be treated with caution as, unlike the charter operators, the fishermen will have little motivation. Similarly, survey





























































































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