Page 202 - Manual for Activities directed at the Underwater Cultural Heritage

 © T. Maarleveld / RWS. Side scan and multibeam sonar images of the Hoornse Hop II wrecksite, Zuiderzee, Netherlands.
A concise illustration of a site’s extension is essential when elaborating a management
plan. In the case of the 18th century wreck with cargo at
the site Hoornse Hop 2 the image obtained from side scans and multibeam sonar have
been crucial in delimitating the site’s extension. Initially this site was discovered by the water authority responsible for the
area in December 2002 due to the sea bottom-anomaly at the location. It was then truthed
by divers in December 2003. The first management measure was to declare an area around the wreck as no-anchor zone while informing the associations of fishermen, sailors and recreationists frequenting the area about the location of this archaeological site.
Site Management
Site management and preservation are related. Just as one should not remove underwater cultural heritage without considering its preservation, the same considerations apply to the site and to the in situ remains. As a general rule, every site deserves its own management plan, even if many countries, especially developing ones, do not yet dispose of such plans for their submerged cultural sites.
An adequate management programme and a long- term management plan can be of great assistance to reduce the risks for underwater cultural heritage, including deterioration, looting, or even destruction. They are important tools in optimizing the enjoyment of the heritage concerned, for the greatest number possible, in setting the conditions for access,
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Conservation and site management