ABSTRACT
Over the past 50 years, many of the planet's coastal areas have come under strong pressure, mainly due to urban growth resulting from tourism. This has led to an added problem in the conservation of maritime heritage, which is already complicated by the low resistance of materials to the marine environment and the decline of traditional activities such as small-scale fishing and coastal shipping. However, in recent years many coastal communities have responded to this situation by reconstructing securing maritime identities through innovative cultural heritage practices. This chapter highlights the close connection that is found between the tangible and the intangible in maritime heritage. It also focuses on the importance of considering the context in which maritime heritage was created in the past and is created today.
