Lead institution:
GIRT Scientific Divers, Australia
The no-impact underwater archaeological conservation-focused program Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers trains interested individuals to systematically monitor underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites in the open water environment.
GIRT members agree to share their collected data with the broader public to increase awareness of the threats to the UCH non-renewable resources from natural (mechanical, chemical, or biological) or anthropogenic activity. GIRT members share their data with the relevant UCH management agency to strengthen their science-based decision-making capacity.
First trialled in Australia in 2018, GIRT was designed and developed to encourage interested people, businesses, and groups to have an active and positive underwater archaeology role through citizen science.
Start Date: 01/07/2024
End Date: 31/12/2030
Lead Contact: Andrew Viduka (girtscientificdiver@gmail.com)