The abandoned shipwreck act: a context

Abstract

The Abandoned Shipwreck Act became law in 1988. As author of the act, and as a resource manager, the author discusses the act. The discussion includes, the purpose of the act, the potential effects of the act, and the current status of state law. To understand the act one must understand the relationship of shipwrecks and historic shipwrecks, in particular, to broad based social, economic and environmental systems. The magic lure of gold and the evolution of state laws in the face of conflicting social values has left a ten year legacy of confusion. The act and the paper should contribute to sorting out the confusion.