Sunken galleon pillage an attack on Panamas heritage.

ALTHOUGH Panama ratified a 2003 convention against the commercial exploitation and looting of wrecks, the  plundering of  a sunken Spanish galleon continues.

The National Institute of Culture (Inac) Heritage Director Wilhelm Franqueza has reported that an official of Investigaciones Marinas del Istmo, S.A., a company exploring The San Jose, was found in a mall with a suitcase full of coins from the vessel. He said that although the company has a valid concession, it must inform the authorities when it removes any treasure. “There are regulations that must be followed” he said.
The authorities have seized some 3000 colonial coins and they are in the custody of the National Customs National Authority while an investigation is underway.
The San Jose was carrying gold and silver from Peru, to Spain when it sank in the Las Perlas archipelago in 1631.  Like other shipwrecks in Panamanian waters, the treasure hunters and some officials, with a vision blurred by the prospect of unsuspected underwater riches, have collaborated to damage Panama’s heritage. Historians and cultural heritage advocates had warned of the dangers of looting through poorly monitored access to the wrecks and when Customs officials seized some coins rescued from the remains of San Jose, their fears were confirmed says a La Prensa report. “Sadly, it became evident that the Government has neither the culture nor the institutions to defend their property on land, or in the deep sea. Theft of public property destroys the memory of our nation. In the XXI century there are still looting pirates, some disguised as scientists and others participating in national politics”
Part of the company’s concession expires next month although the last administration signed an extension until 2018. “We are evaluating the revoking of that extension” Franqueza said. He added that about 3,000  coins have been seized. Their value could range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the condition. According to the concession, 35% of anything recovered by the firm belongs to the State.
Company representative Saturio Segarrasaid they had all the permits hey needed and  they were not trying to smuggle the coins out of the country, and instead  needed to have them authenticated by the government before the could be sold.

At the same time, he warned that if the authorities decide not to return the coins, the company will take legal action because of the considerable expense in finding and removing them.
“We have provided the necessary evidence to show that these coins are ours,” said the official. Also he questioned the work arrangements carried by UNESCO.
A mission of the international organization met with Inac authorities to evaluate the actions taken by the company during the identification, extraction and sale of objects from the galleon. The UNESCO team is even studying the possibility to propose a management plan for the conservation of the San Jose and the goods from its shipwreck. The technicians will return to the country in October to make an inspection. Historian Alfredo Castillero said the granting of the concession was irresponsible due to the wreck’s historic importance.