The Accessible Underwater Archaeological Sites (AUAS) operate similarly to organized archaeological sites of the Ministry of Culture, with adaptations made to the operation to suit the marine environment, diving requirements, and the need for guided visits.

The legal framework governing the operation of Accessible Underwater Archaeological Sites are determined by the provisions of Law 4858/2021 “Ranking of a Code of Legislation for the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage in General”, which now incorporates:

• The provisions of the Law. 3028/2002 for the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage in General, in particular Article 15, in implementation of which the Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) has been issued on the permitted and non-permitted uses in underwater archaeological sites (JMD YPPO/GDAPK/ARCH/A1/Φ41/11228/1865/2004 (Government Gazette 336/Β/2004).
• Article 6 of the Law. 4688/2020 on diving tourism, in implementation of for which an Operating Regulation has been drawn up for each AUAS.
• The provisions of the Law. 3409/2005 on recreational diving, which defines recreational diving and, in particular, guided diving.
• The Joint Ministerial Decisions on the Establishment and Operation of each AUAS. For the marine areas of the Sporades Islands and in the Western Pagasitikos, Prefectural Government of Magnesia, Region of Thessaly, see Joint Ministerial Decision of the Ministry of Culture-Ministry of Culture/GDAPK/DIPKA/TPKACHMAE/Φ53/12387/6960/772/240, (Government Gazette 119/Β/2015).

The Ministry of Culture has the required personnel, necessary equipment, and infrastructure for the protection, security, and operation of the AUAS.

Visiting divers may only come with an escort who is licensed (in accordance with the provisions of Law 3409/2005), a provider of recreational diving services, and is responsible for the necessary diving certificates, safety, equipment, and health of scuba divers.