inadvertent killing of non-edible tropical reef fish species found within 

 the sanctuary, and physical damage to the coral from divers in pursuit of 

 fish. All of the above would help ensure high quality recreational experi- 

 ences by divers and snorklers. 



Although local residents and visitors will no longer have the oppor- 

 tunity to spearfish in the Looe Key 5 mile area, there are many other areas 

 nearby suitable for spearf i shing. 



This prohibition wil 1 cause some revenue loss to dive and charter boat 

 companies who are hired to take spearf ishermen to Looe Key. It is difficult 

 to estimate this loss. However, a portion of their revenue also comes from 

 hook and line recreational fishermen and snorkelers/SCUBA divers who only 

 wish to view the underwater coral formations. 



6. Historic and Cultural Resources 



The following alternatives were analyzed for regulating the taking or 

 disturbance of cultural and historic resources within the proposed sanctuary: 



a. Unrestricted tampering with, damage to, or removal of cultural 

 and historic resources (status quo); 



b. Prohibiting tampering with, damage to, or removal, except with 

 a NOAA permit for educational and scientific purposes; and 



c. Prohibiting tampering with, damage to or removal. 



NOAA has chosen alternative b as the preferred alternative. This alter- 

 native would protect the submerged historical and cultural resources of the 

 sanctuary. Shipwrecks of interest in and adjacent to the area, particularly 

 the HMS Looe , could be explored and artifacts could be recovered under a NOAA 

 permit. The permit would be based on the educational and research value of 

 the proposed actions. This alternative, however, would not completely pre- 

 clude reef damage and other disruptions to the marine resources from salvage 

 and recovery operations. 



The marine sanctuary program is the only vehicle for designation and 

 preservation of such resources. Under a recent court decision, the Antiqui- 

 ties Act, which provides that the Department of the Interior may designate 

 and protect certain historically important sites, does not authorize such 

 action in relation to antiquities located on the OCS. In addition, neither 

 the Abandoned Property Act nor the National Historic Preservation Act offer 

 protection for valuable marine artifacts. 



7. Discharges 



The following alternatives were analyzed for regulation of discharges 

 within the proposed sanctuary: 



a. Relying on existing Federal regulation (status quo): 



b. Prohibiting all discharges; and 



34 



