This book highlights critical developments in maritime research focusing on transformations brought about by the establishment of the 'Blue Economy' as well as the increasing recognition of the value of heritage for contemporary communities. It brings together a collection of chapters that seek to identify, and shape, how the field of maritime archaeology will mature in the coming decades as approaches, technologies, as well as expectations and uses, change and adapt. The book specifically sets out to tackle an interrelated suite of major new topics focused on maritime resources, UNESCO and the impacts of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, with an express focus on how maritime heritage can benefit local communities. Intended for an international audience, the book is written in an accessible style, with contributions that provide an in-depth discussion of the trends outlined above for students and researchers working in maritime archaeology and heritage. Chapter 2 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.