Stone tidal weirs are a unique type of fish trap operated only by tidal amplitude. Mechanically, the stone walls are completely submerged during high tide to let the fish in. At low tide, the fish are trapped in the wall, so fishermen can collect them. These pieces of maritime cultural heritage are found at various geographic locations around the globe. Linking with the prehistoric roots, the fishing weirs are effective fisheries methods actively used by many local communities. These are located within seascapes created and maintained by the harmonious interactions of people within local marine ecosystems.

To study, safeguard, understand and disseminate their importance appropriately to the broader academic community and public, we are working with local stakeholders who have a rich local traditional ecological knowledge, and employing anthropological theory and concepts for the analysis. The traditional ecological knowledge is not only the key to the conservation of stone tidal weirs but also to the well-being of communities – providing more sustainable and healthy food sources.

At present, the underwater cultural heritage of stone tidal weirs is vulnerable to the impacts of global climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, destructive storms, ocean acidification, and marine plastic pollution. For example, if sea levels rise more than one meter, all stone tidal weirs on the earth will not be able to function as they were designed. It is essential to realise the functionality of stone tidal weirs and their importance to local communities. This paper thus presses on the environmental threats of climate change and the effects they have on our future well-being of the heritage and community. It opens discussion on the importance of the integration of the fish weir heritage in our socio-ecosystem.