Article 303 Archaeological and historical objects found at sea

States have the duty to protect objects of an archaeological and historical nature found at sea and shall co-operate for this purpose.

In order to control traffic in such objects, the coastal State may, in applying article 33, presume that their removal from the sea-bed in the zone referred to in that article without its approval would result in an infringement within its territory or territorial sea of the laws and regulations referred to in that article.

Nothing in this article affects the rights of identifiable owners, the law of salvage or other rules of admiralty, or laws and practices with respect to cultural exchanges.

This article is without prejudice to other international agreements and rules of international law regarding the protection of objects of an archaeological and historical nature.