The Next Steps of Underwater Cultural Heritage Preservation in Taiwan: A Legal Aspect
Dublin Core
Title
The Next Steps of Underwater Cultural Heritage Preservation in Taiwan: A Legal Aspect
Description
In order to preserve, protect and manage underwater cultural heritage (UCH) and to value the spirit of
the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, in 2015 Taiwan
passed its Underwater Cultural Heritage Act (UCHA). Although the law has been in force for seven
years, there are still many important elements that have not yet been fully implemented. The main
reasons are the insufficient capacity of the competent authorities, the lack of underwater archaeology
talents, and Taiwan's special environmental conditions. For example, the implementation of in-situ
preservation, the designation of UCH protected areas, shallow water survey technology, the
establishment of a national research center of UCH, and the raising of public awareness and school
education all need to be further studied and implemented. Therefore, this article will illustrate the
intention of important parts of UCHA, as well as the challenges promoted by practice, and finally put
forward some suggestions for future protection of UCH in Taiwan. It is believed that the experience of
Taiwan may serve as a reference to other countries concerned.
the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, in 2015 Taiwan
passed its Underwater Cultural Heritage Act (UCHA). Although the law has been in force for seven
years, there are still many important elements that have not yet been fully implemented. The main
reasons are the insufficient capacity of the competent authorities, the lack of underwater archaeology
talents, and Taiwan's special environmental conditions. For example, the implementation of in-situ
preservation, the designation of UCH protected areas, shallow water survey technology, the
establishment of a national research center of UCH, and the raising of public awareness and school
education all need to be further studied and implemented. Therefore, this article will illustrate the
intention of important parts of UCHA, as well as the challenges promoted by practice, and finally put
forward some suggestions for future protection of UCH in Taiwan. It is believed that the experience of
Taiwan may serve as a reference to other countries concerned.
Creator
Wen-Yan Chiau
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Chiau, Wen-Yan. 2023. “The Next Steps of Underwater Cultural Heritage Preservation in Taiwan: A Legal Aspect.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Mariano Azna. In 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/1910
Files
Citation
Wen-Yan Chiau, “The Next Steps of Underwater Cultural Heritage Preservation in Taiwan: A Legal Aspect,” APCONF-MUCH Proceedings Recently Added Items, accessed October 24, 2026, https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/items/show/541.