Symbiosis: Biodiversity Surveys on Archaeological Shipwreck Sites, Managing for a Better Future
Dublin Core
Title
Symbiosis: Biodiversity Surveys on Archaeological Shipwreck Sites, Managing for a Better Future
Description
Preliminary surveys on the biological diversity of shipwrecks were started in 2018 with SS Sagaing, an iron
wreck purposely sunk by the Sri Lanka Navy. The survey aimed to record the recruitment and colonization of
marine organisms on the ship's surface, two months after it was re-sunk in Trincomalee harbor. This became the
foundation for a new relationship between marine archaeology, marine biology, and information technology.
The National Shipwreck Database of Sri Lanka (NSDSL) was established in 2021 as an online database
providing details of known shipwrecks in Sri Lankan waters, preserving their heritage value for future
generations. The database uses multimedia formats to present information in an interactive manner. Shipwrecks
have multiple benefits, including serving as artificial reefs for marine life and attracting visitors for tourism. The
data in the database is collected by the Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF),
with contributions from other sources such as professional divers and research institutes. The database contains
information on 103 shipwrecks and 6 aircrafts.
Shipwreck sites naturally become habitats for marine life and can become important biodiversity
hotspots. To safeguard them and their ecosystems, archaeologists, scientists, and government/non-governmental
agencies should collaborate. Preliminary research collected ecological baseline data on shipwrecks, which was
added to the national shipwreck database. This initiates long-term monitoring of fish and fauna diversity on
shipwrecks, guiding future protection and conservation efforts for these ecosystems. The result of this project
unites diverse stakeholders together to facilitate dialogue and design collaborative approaches to get maximum
benefits from each sector.
The topic of this abstract fits best within Session 16 - Environmental implications of underwater
cultural heritage (UCH) degradation and the conservation of marine ecosystems because it demonstrates a unique
partnership of multidisciplinary stakeholders managing the environmental and safety risks associated with
underwater cultural heritage.
wreck purposely sunk by the Sri Lanka Navy. The survey aimed to record the recruitment and colonization of
marine organisms on the ship's surface, two months after it was re-sunk in Trincomalee harbor. This became the
foundation for a new relationship between marine archaeology, marine biology, and information technology.
The National Shipwreck Database of Sri Lanka (NSDSL) was established in 2021 as an online database
providing details of known shipwrecks in Sri Lankan waters, preserving their heritage value for future
generations. The database uses multimedia formats to present information in an interactive manner. Shipwrecks
have multiple benefits, including serving as artificial reefs for marine life and attracting visitors for tourism. The
data in the database is collected by the Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF),
with contributions from other sources such as professional divers and research institutes. The database contains
information on 103 shipwrecks and 6 aircrafts.
Shipwreck sites naturally become habitats for marine life and can become important biodiversity
hotspots. To safeguard them and their ecosystems, archaeologists, scientists, and government/non-governmental
agencies should collaborate. Preliminary research collected ecological baseline data on shipwrecks, which was
added to the national shipwreck database. This initiates long-term monitoring of fish and fauna diversity on
shipwrecks, guiding future protection and conservation efforts for these ecosystems. The result of this project
unites diverse stakeholders together to facilitate dialogue and design collaborative approaches to get maximum
benefits from each sector.
The topic of this abstract fits best within Session 16 - Environmental implications of underwater
cultural heritage (UCH) degradation and the conservation of marine ecosystems because it demonstrates a unique
partnership of multidisciplinary stakeholders managing the environmental and safety risks associated with
underwater cultural heritage.
Creator
Vishmi Gunasinghe
Chathurika Munasinghe
Tharushi Pitigala
Rasika Muthucumarana
Anuradha Piyadasa
Dharshana Jayawardena
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Gunasinghe, Vishmi , Chathurika Munasinghe, Tharushi Malshani, Rasika Muthucumarana, Anuradha Piyadasa, Dharshana Jayawardena. 2023. “Symbiosis: Biodiversity surveys on archaeological shipwreck sites, managing for a better future.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Bishnu Pada Bose. Proceedings of Fifth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Gwangju, The Republic of Korea, November 13-18 2023. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. URL: https://apconf.omeka.net/exhibits/show/apconfproceedings/item/1973
Files
Citation
Vishmi Gunasinghe
et al., “Symbiosis: Biodiversity Surveys on Archaeological Shipwreck Sites, Managing for a Better Future,” Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage Proceedings, accessed September 16, 2026, https://apconf.omeka.net/items/show/1973.