St.Kitts Department Of Maritime Affairs Pursuing Legislation To Protect Under Water Cultural Heritage Of St.Kitts & Nevis

Posted on February 4, 2016 in St.Kitts-Nevis

by Department of Maritime Affairs-St.Kitts,

Basseterre, St.Kitts (February 4th 2016):-In light of the recent attempt by a non-national to sell a cannon – part of the underwater cultural heritage of the people of St.Kitts and Nevis on EBay, the Department of Maritime Affairs is pursuing vigorously once again to ensure that the legal framework is in place to prevent any future attempt to sell or remove any portions of our underwater heritage.

Since St.Kitts and Nevis became a party to the UNESCO Convention for protecting the under water cultural heritage in 2009, the primary legislation to give effect to the convention in our local laws was developed, following a regional workshop in St.Kitts facilitated by UNESCO in 2013. To complete the process, the legislation needs to be fine tuned including appointing the designated competent authority to enforce and finally, pass in parliament.

The process to finally establish the most suitable legal framework has commenced and is expected to be completed by June this year.