In Western Australia, legislation to protect the numerous shipwrecks lying off the coast was first passed in 1964. This has since been twice revised and now exists as the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973, which vests these wrecks in the Western Australian Museum. This paper discusses the principles of the Act and its mode of operation, but concludes with the proposal that the most effective means of exercising this responsibility is to carry out an active wreck excavation and inspection program, backed by adequate conservation and restoration facilities.