The seas around the British Isles contain an abundance of archaeological resources, including submerged prehistoric landscapes, shipwreck remains and other historical evidence of human usage of the sea. The preservation of these valuable archaeological resources could potentially be compromised by continued commercial and industrial maritime development, as technological progress makes the seas increasingly accessible. Archaeological resources are non-renewable in nature, so without sufficient protection they may be lost forever. The marine aggregates industry recognises the need for responsible and sustainable development, to ensure these archaeological resources are preserved for future generations. Industry developers in England are supported by guidance from
English Heritage, the Governments advisor on all aspects of the historic environment of England, all the way out to the
Territorial Limit 12 nautical miles off our shores. By following the best-practice guidance that exists, operators can greatly minimise the impacts of aggregate extraction on the marine historic environment.