Archaeological Underwater Research Association (ASAD) was established by a group of  archaeologist , underwater researcher , doctor and journalist in Istanbul,1999. ASAD is a  continuation of archaeological Underwater Research Group which was  established in 1994. Reasons(activities) that caused ASAD to be established were improved and transferred to universities with academic infra-structure.

Mediterranean  Archaeological Underwater Research Center ( AASAM) was established by Antalya Museum Directorship and ASAD in 1999. AASAM which was established by helping of Minister of Culture, Istemihan Talay at that period , were economically supported by Hurriyet Newspaper , Garanti Bank and Commerical Union Insurance. In 2005 the center office moved out of museum because of changing museum administration. Today AASAM activities are managed by the same team except museum , that stated in home page.