Doc. 8055
2 April 1998

Maritime and fluvial cultural heritage

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr O'Hara and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly is aware of the historical significance of the sea and inland waterways in the development of Europe and in its contacts with the rest of the world.

2.       In 1978 the Assembly adopted Recommendation 848 on the underwater cultural heritage. Despite the failure of the Committee of Ministers to bring to fruition one of the main proposals, namely the elaboration of a European Convention, certain elements have been included in the revised European Convention on the protection of the Archaeological Heritage (1992). Many other proposals remain however to be followed up and implemented.

3.       Moreover recent technological advances in deep-sea diving now render vulnerable many well-preserved wrecks in international waters that were previously inaccessible. Their commercial exploitation is unfortunately only encouraged by the sort of public interest aroused by the recent film on the Titanic.

4.       The last twenty years have also seen the emergence of Europe-wide interest in the maritime and fluvial cultural heritage. There is need for coordination and cooperation and for the encouragement of networks of experts and non-governmental bodies in the related fields: underwater archaeology, shipping, maritime museums, scientific laboratories etc.

5.       It is appropriate that due recognition be given to this cultural dimension in the context of the International Year of the Oceans, in Expo 98 in Lisbon, in the 50^th anniversary of the Council of Europe and in preparations for the celebration of the millennium.

6.       The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       encourage European cooperation for the protection of the maritime and fluvial cultural heritage and with emphasis on collaboration between the public authorities and interested non-governmental bodies (from commercial, academic or private sectors);

ii.       provide the necessary resources for the European Foundation for Heritage Skills (FEMP) to make a meaningful contribution to this cooperation;

iii.       ensure that the cultural dimension is fully incorporated in any European Maritime Agency or Observatory;

iv.       associate the Council of Europe with the elaboration by Unesco of an international convention on the underwater heritage and in the preparation at Euuropean or international level of any other legal instruments relating to the maritime and fluvial cultural heritage;

v.       take steps to ensure that maritime and fluvial cultural heritage is protected from commercial recovery operations;

vi.       encourage regional cooperation on the maritime cultural heritage between countries (whether member states or not) bordering on the same sea or part sea.

Signed : ¹

O'Hara, United Kingdom, SOC

Fleetwood, Sweden, EDG

Fyfe, United Kingdom, SOC

Gül, Turkey, EDG

Hadjidemetriou, Cyprus, SOC

Kiely, Ireland, LDR

Pereira Marques, Portugal, SOC

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Tanık, Turkey, EDG

Varela, Spain, LDR

Volcic, Italy, NR

Wärnersson, Sweden, SOC

Wilshire, United Kingdom, EDG

Zingeris, Lithuania, EDG