Artificial reefs are increasingly used worldwide as a method for managing recreational diving since they have the potential to satisfy both conservation goals and economic interests.

Although there are negative impacts associated with mass diving tourism, scuba diving has the potential to generate substantial revenues. However, balancing the requirements of reef conservation with the needs of local host economies represents a considerable challenge to managers and policymakers.

The ecological role of shipwrecks as artificial reefs is well established and they are often prime and exclusive destinations for diving tourism. But they are also extremely delicate and sensitive environments.

The goal of the Laboratory of Maritime Archeology is to position Montenegro on the international scientific map of maritime and underwater archaeology and to investigate and document the shipwrecks, navigation routes, harbours, anchorages and other remnants of human activity along the Montenegrin coast.

Maritime archaeological finds within the Montenegrin basin, although insufficiently explored, are very diverse.