Minister may enter agreement with prospector

(1) It shall be lawful for the Minister, in any case in which he deems it to be in the public interest so to do, and after consultation with the Authority, to enter into an agreement with any prospector licensing such prospector to prospect for, salve and bring to shore any abandoned wreck. 6 (2) Where in any case the Minister considers or is advised by the Authority that the finder of any abandoned wreck is not a suitable person to salve and bring to shore such abandoned wreck, or the Minister does not deem it to be in the public interest to enter into an agreement with the finder of any abandoned wreck under sub-section (1), the Minister may pay to such finder such reward as he may, after consultation with the Minister of Finance in each case, determine and the Minister may enter into an agreement with any suitable person to salve and bring to shore such abandoned wreck. (3) Every agreement under this section shall be entered into between the Minister acting for and on behalf of the Government of Belize and the prospector concerned under their respective hands and seals. (4) Every person who applies to enter into an agreement with the Minister under the provisions of this section shall pay to the Government of Belize in advance such fee, not being less than five thousand dollars, as may be specified by the Minister by regulations made under this Act.