A maritime archaeological conservation citizen science programme for individual benefit and good public outcomes: GIRT Scientific Divers

Abstract

In Australia and New Zealand, a citizen science approach is being trialled to bring spatial scale and longevity to underwater cultural heritage monitoring programmes which are beyond the resourcing capacity of management agencies. Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers is a no-impact maritime archaeological conservation-focussed citizen science programme that trains members to systematically document observable physical and natural features of underwater cultural heritage, in an open sea water environment, to understand the condition of a site and facilitate its protection and management. A key objective of GIRT is to encourage interested people, businesses, and groups to have an active and positive public (and community) archaeology role. This paper outlines GIRT, its methodology and andragogical teaching approach. Examples noting the significant effort required by members to participate, the need to emphasize the site survey’s scalability of activity, and the value of having included marine science in the methodology are highlighted.

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