Oak Island legislation coming

posted on 07/14/10

The province is taking steps to preserve and protect Nova Scotia's underwater cultural and heritage resources.

John MacDonell, minister of Natural Resources along with Percy Paris, minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage announced on July 13 that the government intends to repeal the Treasure Trove Act, amend the Special Places Protection Act, and create the Oak Island Act.

Government will introduce the legislation in the fall. Some outstanding licences will still be granted to applicants who meet policy guidelines for treasure hunting, but these activities will end December 31.

The Treasure Trove Act was enacted in 1954 to govern treasure hunting activities on Oak Island. Its scope was later expanded to cover licencing of salvage operations involving shipwrecks off Nova Scotia's coast.