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Environmental protection

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Marine: Cleaner Seas report

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Managing our coastal zones

Approximately 60% of the world's population lives within the coastal zone and coastal areas are increasingly subjected to a variety of uses and demands. The UK is no exception and many of its coastal ecosystems are subject to pressure from urbanisation, recreation, agriculture, industrial and port activities, and maritime, road and railway traffic to name but a few of the issues. These types of development have considerable implications for the biological diversity in the coastal zone, and socio-economic trends indicate that pressures may increase or, at the least, remain at the current level.

Sandstone cliffs and seabird colonies, NW Scotland.
There has been in the past a general lack of overall coordination of coastal zone responsibilities on a national and international scale. This has led to the development of the concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). Within the UK, a large number of initiatives have been devel-oped to promote and implement this process. The Government has established a central coordinating unit, a high level Inter-Departmental Group on coastal policy, national fora for England, Scotland and Wales, and published guidance on coastal manage-ment. Meanwhile, numerous coastal management initiatives are under way around the country producing and implementing local multi-sectoral management plans and improving coordination and cooperation.

The UK is also participating in a number of international activities which are relevant to this concept, including the Washington Global Programme (1995), the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, and the European Commission's Demonstration Programme on Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

Eight UK based projects currently form part of the European Commission's Demonstration Pro-gramme. Two are located in Northern Ireland, one is in Scotland and the remaining five are spread across the south coast of England from Kent to Cornwall. The projects have been selected to highlight and address problems and issues associated with coastal zone management in a variety of settings. It is intended that this programme will help identify practical steps and solutions which will assist in the prevention of degradation of landscapes, loss of biodiversity and user conflicts in Europe's coastal areas.

As part of the UK's implementation of the European Habitats Directive over 30 marine sites have been iden-tified for designation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The sites, which incorporate the three existing Marine Nature Reserves, contain important habitats and species such as reefs, coastal lagoons, estuaries and sea mammals. Conservation management will involve all the relevant statutory bodies. Yet the success of the schemes will largely depend on the full involve-ment of local interests and sea users.

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Page last modified: 01 March 2005
Page published: 21 September 1988

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs