Beefed up legislation is on the cards to ensure protection for Bermuda's marine heritage.

Government officials are working on a revamp of existing laws to make sure dozens of valuable shipwrecks and their booty are not lost to underwater "pirates''.

The move comes as marine experts become increasingly concerned that treasures removed from the sea are being sold over the Internet to foreign collectors.

It is understood there have been several incidents of Bermuda artifacts offered for sale on the auction site E-Bay, and officials are keen to stop valuables being shipped offshore.

In a bid to stop foreign treasure hunters, no licences to dive on protected wrecks are granted to non-Bermudians, but Collector of Customs Bill LeDrew said it was difficult to stop pilfering from wrecks.

"There are genuine concerns that there are alot of Bermuda artifacts that have been removed illegally, we have to see the law is there and make sure it works,'' he said.

"Bermuda wants to control its marine heritage. There is alot of ocean out there, there are alot of boats out there. People dive, if they find something... there is no wreck patrol.'' He said the various agencies try to keep an eye on the marine environment but the sheer scale of the area, and the ease with which items could be taken hampered policing efforts.

One marine expert source said he was concerned over reports that items from wrecks were being sold over the Internet.

He said it was hard to know whether the items were newly retrieved from wrecks or had been plundered years ago.

"There was some slave currency that was found in Bermuda that was suddenly on E-Bay,'' he said.

"Somebody salvaged it, once it leaves Bermuda it leaves forever.

"There are quite alot of divers here. It is a problematic thing, nobody brings a piece of coral from a reef up, but with artifacts they find it is just not the same mentality -- it is a finders-keepers attitude.'' The 1959 Wreck Salvage Act has been reviewed and the recommendations are currently with the Minister of Finance. There may be further consultation before the bill goes to Parliament.

Mr. LeDrew said he could not go into details about the changes but said the law needed to be modernised.

However, it is understood that a clause that deems all artifacts to be property of the Crown and orders compensation to be paid to finders is likely to be revamped.

At present Government will not grant any licence to dive unless a waiver is signed, saying the individual will not seek compensation for any artifacts found.

In addition, those diving must have a marine archaeologist present.

ENVIRONMENT ENV WRECKS WKS