Cultural heritage at sea includes wreck sites and former human settlements and history that has been lost or drowned by changes in sea level. There are believed to be over 30,000 wrecks around the UK, and many of these are around the South West. Twenty-three of these have been designated as protected, including the Schiedam off Gunwalloe Cove and the Coronation off Penlee Point in Cornwall.

Wrecks often create important habitats for marine life, and are also threatened by many of the same activities that impact on natural environments. There may be some opportunities where protection for the natural environment can also extend to safeguarding wrecks or other human cultural heritage, and vice versa.

English Heritage has a representative on the Steering Group who works with Finding Sanctuary to ensure that we have comprehensive and up to date knowledge of important cultural heritage such as wreck sites.