 Proponents of the arguments to display the works claim that the excavation was indeed legal as the work was carried out in accordance with Indonesian law , at the request of the Indonesian government , and in accordance with international laws at the time . James P. Delgado , director of maritime heritage at the United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , said that " allowing any of the finds from an excavation to be sold betrays the most basic aspects of research " with the New York Times going on to report that , " he [ Delgado ] wished the Belitung shipwreck had been academically excavated . But unlike some of his colleagues , he said that instead of canceling the exhibition , the Smithsonian could use it to educate the public about the consequences of the commercialization of underwater heritage . " 
