The following is a letter written by Secretary of State Katherine Harris of Florida to the U.S. Dept. of State, asking Mr. Blumberg (Senior US delegate to UNESCO) to acknowledge, and include the "Commercial Salvage" industry in their U.S. position paper at the UNESCO draft convention.

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April 13, 1999

Mr. Robert “Bob” Blumberg
United States Department of State
2201 “C” Street, N.W.
OES/OA, Room 5805

Dear Mr. Blumberg:

It is my understanding that the United States Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will hold its annual conference in Paris in April 1999, at which time it will consider a proposed international convention regarding submerged cultural resources.

I am writing to request your consideration of Florida's experience in the balanced management of the concerns for state-owned underwater cultural resources and the rights of the commercial salvors. All current commercial salvage contracts in Florida are overseen by the federal courts and represent a traditional arrangement under admiralty law jurisdiction that has remained unchanged for fifteen years. More recently, however, our Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration worked together to develop a better program that is now in place as the Submerged Cultural Resource Agreement for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

During the lengthy development of the Keys Sanctuary agreement, the Historic Shipwreck Salvage Policy Council, developed initially for that purpose, represented commercial salvage interests. Since that time, HSSPC has represented salvors in other areas, including developing a proposal to establish professional marine conservation facilities for shipwreck artifacts as an integral part of the planned Sea Aquarium complex in West Palm Beach, Florida. This initiative has received favorable attention by archaeologists and aquarium planners and owners in this country and abroad.

I believe the principles developed in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Submerged Cultural Resource Agreement should be seriously considered in the development of the United States position paper on the UNESCO draft convention. Florida's experience has shown that a cooperative relationship with salvors can have a public benefit. This cooperative effort should be taken into account when developing the UNESCO proposal.

Thank you for your consideration to this important matter. If I can assist you in any way possible, please do not hesitate to contact me or my assistant, Bill Pfeiffer.

Yours Truly
Katherine Harris
Secretary of State