The Galician Parliament has recently approved a proposal from the Popular Parliamentary Group, which urges the Xunta de Galicia to promote underwater archaeological interventions in the region and establish a "specific protocol" to ensure coordination among all parties involved in these complex operations.
José Luis Ferro, a member of the Popular Party, stated, "The aim is not to duplicate functions or replace anyone's competencies, but rather to organise and facilitate cooperation that is already yielding results today." He highlighted the immense historical wealth that remains submerged, including sunken vessels, their cargo, artillery pieces, structures, and other artefacts that allow for the reconstruction of episodes from the past.
Ferro argued that the new protocol would significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of archaeological surveys, serving as "a useful tool for better research and protection, and for acting with greater guarantees."
An effective coordination framework
"We are not starting from scratch," Ferro emphasised, recalling the significance of recent interventions led by the Xunta de Galicia, particularly the successful documentation of the wreck at Punta Restelos in Fisterra. He remarked, "The history of Galicia is also written beneath the sea and deserves our full commitment to be studied, preserved, and passed on to future generations."
The approved initiative stipulates that the roadmap will always prioritise the in situ conservation of discovered archaeological assets, in accordance with regulatory frameworks. However, the plan will also regulate the deposit and custody of items in other locations when necessary to ensure their long-term preservation.
The ultimate goal is to facilitate responsible public access for observation and documentation purposes, without jeopardising the remnants. Ferro insisted that formalising this specific protocol would place Galicia at the forefront of national efforts in managing submerged heritage. He concluded by stating that the aim is not only to enhance excavations but also to align all professionals, scientists, and security bodies into a coordinated operation to protect the history still held by Galicia's territorial waters: "What we seek is to better define, through a specific protocol, how each organisation participates, what functions correspond to them, and how operations are coordinated."
