Ontario lays off its marine archeologist

PARRY SOUND – One of three senior specialists in charge of protecting underwater shipwrecks in Canada and the United States was recently laid off.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport announced the lay off of Dr. Simon Spooner – the only senior specialist in marine archeology in Ontario, December 2. Spooner’s job included advising the government on the excavation and preservation of artifacts found underwater – including shipwrecks, according to a recent press release.
With everything on the bottom of Ontario’s lakes belonging to the federal government, local dive shop owner Peter Agnello said he’s not worried about the change.
“I own a dive shop and I really don’t know what (Spooner) did,” Agnello said this week. “I don’t think I have to worry about people tampering with the wrecks out here. There are laws protecting them.”
Agnello charters boats to different shipwrecks in Georgian Bay, but said it’s a commonly known rule that what’s found in the water stays in the water.
“You shouldn’t take anything from the wrecks or move anything around,” he said. “We leave everything for future generations to see.”
Agnello, who started his dive shop in the 1970s, said there are five popular shipwrecks on The Bay that he routinely takes avid divers to in the summer months – old schooners and steamers that sank more than 100 years ago.
One shipwreck, he said, might be important to the government, but he’s never seen it.
Asia
The Asia sank in 1882, and according to Agnello, is out in The Bay somewhere – most likely in the Bying Inlet area. “There is money to be made there,” he said, noting the ship was carrying lots of coin.
For the average diver, it’s against the law to even go out searching for the wreck without a permit.
“(The government) doesn’t want people like me going out trying to find it,” he said.
Fathom 5 Marine Park
The owner of another dive shop in Tobermory – which Agnello refers to as the “Cancun of shipwrecks” – also said she’s not concerned about the loss of Spooner’s position.          “Tobermory is kind of a special area,” said owner Lynn Graham. “Fathom 5 Marine Park was formed to protect and maintain the integrity of the shipwrecks in this area.”
The marine park is now a recognized national park. Both Agnello and Graham said Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS), a volunteer-based organization, has been a fighting force working to make people aware of the rules governing shipwrecks and artifacts underwater.
“They do a great deal of political work,” said Graham.
The organization helps to protect dive sites through sponsored projects and internationally recognized diver training. Formed in 1981, SOS has also undertaken a mooring program, which minimizes anchor damage on sites regularly visited by sport divers.
Spooner was the organization’s only government contact. Without him, carrying on their efforts will be next to impossible, said SOS president Bryan Thomas.
Without Spooner’s position, the marine division within the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport is essentially shut down.
 “(The Ministry) helps fund us to do our work,” said Thomas. “This is basically crippling our efforts.”
Permit
In order to dive to various shipwrecks in Ontario waters, a diver must obtain a permit from the provincial government.
It was Spooner’s job to make sure the applicants were qualified, and were going into the water for the right reasons.
Without an expert on-hand to make an educated decision about applicants, permits could potentially fall into the wrong hands, said Thomas.  
“This might be irreparably damaging our heritage,” he said.
Luc Lafontaine, board director with SOS agreed.
“A person who isn’t qualified on underwater archeology can end up doing more damage to a shipwreck,” he said.  
This isn’t the first time the position has been scrapped by the Ministry. Nearly eight years ago, the man previously in Spooner’s position retired, and the job was left vacant for at least two years.
This time, Thomas said SOS is fighting to have the job replaced. Thomas recently said he sent a letter to the Premier about the matter, bypassing the Ministry, who he said already told him operations will carry on fine without the position.  
Christy Arnold, communications officer with the Ministry, said front line services won’t be affected by the lay off.
“The Ministry…continues to license marine archaeologists. This has been and continues to be the Ministry’s role and practice related to marine archeology.”         Thomas said he isn’t convinced.
“Basically we are asking that the position be re-opened,” Thomas said this week. “And we will keep writing until something is done. We are encouraging our members to write letters as well.”
“If we don’t have anyone (in the Ministry) making some educated decisions, then what are we doing,” said Thomas. “It’s a very frustrating circumstance.”