The BCThubs project proudly participated in IKUWA 8, the 8th International Congress for Underwater Archaeology, which took place in Oostende (Belgium) from 13 to 17 October 2025.
The congress was organized by the IKUWA Steering Committee, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), the Flanders Heritage Agency, the Agence Wallonne du Patrimoine, Ghent University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VisitFlanders, and the City of Ostend.
This international conference provided an invaluable platform to highlight the deep connections between humans and the ocean, emphasizing the importance of understanding our shared maritime past to build a sustainable future for marine environments. Exploring underwater and coastal cultural heritage allows researchers to access humanity’s collective memory and enrich it with new narratives—offering valuable insights into sea-level fluctuations, climate change, and the socio-cultural evolution of coastal communities.
By integrating Underwater Cultural Heritage into broader discussions on the socio-cultural and environmental significance of the oceans, IKUWA 8 strengthened the dialogue on how heritage can contribute to a deeper emotional and cultural connection with marine ecosystems.
BCThubs participated with a poster presentation presented by Nayden Prahov from the Centre for Underwater Archaeology (CUA), showcasing the project’s commitment to building capacity and knowledge exchange in the field of Underwater Cultural Heritage and sustainable blue growth.
The participation of BCThubs at IKUWA 8 underscored the project’s dedication to promoting cooperation among researchers, policymakers, and cultural heritage institutions, bridging the gap between innovation, preservation, and sustainability within the framework of the Blue Economy.
