The paper contains ideas for change designed to simplify and improve the systems of protection for the marine historic environment, including shipwrecks, archaeological sites and other remains. The proposals seek to provide a positive approach to managing the marine historic environment and a legislative framework that protects the marine historic environment but also enables appropriate management techniques to be applied and to evolve.

The consultation document follows research by the University of Wolverhampton's law school which found that some of the existing legislation for underwater cultural heritage dated to the 17th Century and left historic ruins vulnerable to looters who damage or destroy them in pursuit of profit. More than a million divers swim in UK waters each year and most shipwrecks are discovered by chance.

Among the suggestions for change proposed by the review are to:

Seek the closest possible integration of marine and terrestrial historic environment protection so that the historic environment of the UK is regarded as extending seamlessly from land to sea.

Make all marine historic assets subject to some general rules regarding reporting, initial treatment and ownership, but make 'protection' apply only to specific sites that are sufficiently significant to warrant restrictions on activity.

Introduce a statutory definition of 'marine historic asset' that encompasses all parts of the marine historic environment and ends the piecemeal nature of various current designations applying underwater which has caused confusion about which legal rules should be applied to specific finds.

Provide a statement of significance for each protected site showing the reasons for designation and what is important about the site.

Introduce a requirement for wider consultation when a proposal is made to protect a site.

Introduce a right of appeal against decisions to protect marine historic assets.

Enable owners and other interested parties to enter into management agreements with the heritage agencies in respect of designated marine historic assets.

Introducing the document, UK Heritage Minister, Andrew McIntosh said, 'It is time to update the systems we currently have in place to protect this unique and irreplaceable heritage. The rules surrounding the discovery and ownership of different finds and sites can be complex and unclear. There may also be more effective ways of managing these sites, which better protect the sites and also take into account the other activities taking place in the sea and on the seabed.'

The consultation period lasts until 30 June 2004. The consultation paper can be accessed on the DCMS website:

www. culture. gov. uk/global/ consultations, and comments or questions sent to mhe@culture.

gsi. gov. uk or Tel: 020 7211 2349/2357.