From the comments: (Tod McNeal)
And lastly: Not in this case, but in so many Spanish cases the gold silver and jewels should go back to the country of origin not the Conquistadors who stole it in the first place. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard that stolen stuff that sank on a European flagged ship could go back to the Europeans instead of the country who the stuff originally came from.
I, personally, believe there should be a reward for the research, effort, and expense of looking for and finding such wrecks. As far as shipwrecks go, or "pirate treasure" or other hoards of valuables where individual ownership cannot be established, there should be a limit to claims by governments. Warships, the property of those governments, and all too often the graves of servicemen, should be respected as such.
This, however, reminds me of the tactics taken when the
Atocha was found, where the Government--in this case people who had risked nothing, who had done their 9 to 5 stint with weekends and holidays off, sought to seize the fruits of countless hours of labor and the very lives risked to find it. The government issued the permit, the terms should apply, and it should all be down in black and white before the first line is cast off.
I have witnessed the gentrification of fossils (Yes, Virginia, it's illegal --a felony--to pick up a dinosaur (or other fossil) bone on Federal Land, even if you are a professional and found the site), the same of "cultural artifacts" on any but private land (arrowheads, pottery fragments, flake debris), and increasingly, the gateways to research articles are slammed in the face of anyone who can't show a connection to a university or isn't willing to shell out 40 bucks (and up) to get past the paywall for 24 hours (that doesn't buy a copy, nor permit a download, just a look).
I was in an area where there were (literally) dozens of fossil turtles exposed, up to 6 ft. across, all eroding and washing away because no one but a government approved, grant funded, university backed researcher could legally remove one--for anyone else, it's a felony. Better, imho, for that fossil to end up in a cardboard box in some kid's garage than wash down the creek. At least there is a chance the fossil will be examined someday, and it may spark a career if someone is allowed to research it on their own. Same for archaeological finds in peril of washing away.
So-called amateurs can learn and observe the techniques needed to preserve data--if the various experts who will NEVER have enough people or funding to research these sites, ( nor people as passionately dedicated to doing so in an efficient manner as that horde of organized and seriously interested people can) will just share the information about the sort of data they need and the collection methods which must be observed. Chances are some one will come up with refined or new techniques which will produce even better data faster if others with an interest are allowed to apply their knowledge to problems in the field.
But if people want to know why STEM fields are languishing, they need look no further than the laws which restrict the budding interest in them, and the opportune looting of finds by authorities. "What's the point?", many youngsters will say.
