These ethics principles adopted by the Scripps Center for Marine Archaeology are inspired by and draw from the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, The UNESCO Code of Underwater Diver Ethics, the Principles of Archaeological Ethics of the Society for American Archaeology, and the Ethical Principles for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

The guidelines below are a living document. We are aware that they can be improved and will continuously revise them to make them increasingly better. 

SCMA members will follow the Annex of the 2001 UNESCO Convention which establishes the rules concerning activities directed at underwater cultural heritage.

Underwater and coastal cultural heritage are irreplaceable precious and finite resources. They include not only archaeological sites in situ but also the collections, records, reports, associated intangible cultural heritage, and all new knowledge generated from their analysis. As members of SCMA, we are stewards of this heritage and will work to protect it by practicing and promoting activities that lead to the protection and conservation of the underwater and cultural heritage, promoting public understanding and support for its long-term preservation.

Archaeologists should work actively for the preservation of the underwater cultural heritage in situ. To this end, we will only conduct disruptive activities when absolutely necessary and after exhausting all other available and realistic methods of studying a site, keeping in mind the costs associated with excavation and long-term preservation of water-logged objects and the environmental impact of excavation. We will also encourage colleagues, students and others to make responsible use of collections, records and reports as a means of preserving the archaeological record in situ and promoting the conservation, use and attention of previously excavated archaeological collections and reports.

We acknowledge that we have public accountability and are committed to make every reasonable effort to establish working relationships that are beneficial to all parties involved, and in particular local and descendant communities. In addition to Principle 1, all SCMA projects will follow local, national and regional laws and regulations for the protection of cultural heritage on land and underwater, will respect NAGPRA (Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act) even if application is not clear or required, and will actively consult to conduct work in the best possible manner centering on the wishes and perspectives of the local and descendant communities. All discoveries will be reported to the responsible authorities.

We will not support  or participate in activities that enhance the commercial value of archaeological objects, especially objects that are not curated in public institutions or readily available for scientific study, public interpretation and display. We will not engage in any activity that has the potential to extract commercial value from cultural heritage or that in any way stimulates looting or destruction of the archaeological record. These activities include but are not limited to receiving economic support or gifts from individuals that benefit economically from the commercialization of cultural heritage, sponsoring or conducting sponsored activities in facilities that house looted or private collections, and participating in public shows or recordings that stimulate looting activities.

SCMA projects will establish the best strategies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants. This includes fostering a supportive environment for researchers, students, volunteers and trainees. We will strive to create conditions where harassment and / or assault will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to discriminating actions based upon race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, mental or physical health, national origin, religion, marital status or any other identity definition. All SCMA projects will establish clear protocols to curtail harassment and to establish safe learning and work conditions for all participants. 

It is also our responsibility to practice diving to the highest standards of scientific diving, avoiding exposing ourselves or our partners and participants to unnecessary risks. We will model safe diving practices for other divers and non-divers when working on submerged sites.

SCMA projects will reach out to and participate in cooperative efforts that construct equitable relationships with descendant and local communities and all public interested in the archaeological record in accordance with Principle 2. The aim of this outreach is to improve preservation, protection and interpretation of the archaeological record. In particular we will include in our projects the infrastructure to enlist public support for the stewardship of the archaeological record, and to communicate archaeological interpretations of the past. We will also engage in activities to explain and promote the best archaeological methods and techniques in understanding human behavior and culture, which we will model with our practice.
If any SCMA member or affiliate, for any reason, is unable to personally undertake public education and outreach efforts, they should seek out other SCMA members or other supporting personnel to engage with and support these activities for their project.

Within reasonable time, SCMA members will work to share the knowledge gained from investigation in accessible form to as wide a range of interested publics as possible. Activities and timelines will be mindful of the wishes of the local communities, and will take into account restrictions in confidentiality established to protect archaeological sites in situ. We will include budgets to make all scientific reports and educational materials freely and easily available to the interested public, and will deposit original data, scientific reports and all other associated material in a suitable place for permanent safekeeping.

Archaeologists are not the owners of knowledge or data. The knowledge and documents created through the study of archaeological resources is part of the archaeological record and is subject to ethical stewardship and management. Unless there are legal restrictions or strong countervailing interests, primary access to original materials or data will be for a limited and reasonable period of time only, after which these materials and documents must be made available for others. We will be sensitive to the wishes of descendant and local communities in respect to data management and access. If there is any data that the relevant communities decide should not be shared or should be returned to them, SCMA members and affiliates will strive to comply with their wishes within legal boundaries. These ethical principles will be discussed with the local communities and protocols for collaboration will be discussed and established as necessary before a project begins.

Given the destructive nature of invasive archaeological investigations, SCMA members and affiliates must ensure that they have adequate and up to date training, experience, and support necessary to conduct any program of research that they initiate. They must also ensure that they have adequate access to facilities to properly care for and provide conservation to all archaeological objects recovered, and arrangements have been made for long-term conservation and curation of the archaeological collections, including objects and all records and information. Management of all sensitive objects will follow NAGPRA regulations for tribal consultation and repatriation before removal of depositional context (or will consult with local and descendant communities if outside NAGPRA influence). All practice and field research must be consistent with the foregoing principles and the contemporary standards of professional practice.