Coastal Protection - Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

A systems perspective recognises that an action in one location is likely to have an impact elsewhere. The development of ICZM plans takes this as a basis for holistic (all components taken into account) planning.

The coastal zone is not only a place for natural marine processes and habitats but shoreline activities, inshore and offshore operations and inland activities that output at the coast through drainage systems that flow into the coastal zone.

The key aim of ICZM planning is to co-ordinate all the potential pressures and conflicts of interest at the coast and manage them fairly, responsibly and sustainably. Specifically:

• Monitoring, information-gathering and recording of what is taking place at the coast
• Identifying and involving all stakeholders (who may change with time)
• Agreeing co-ordinated plans that allow key objectives for stakeholders to be met
• Following sustainable strategies
• Managing the natural and human systems responsibly
• Considering changes to coastal systems and anticipating likely impacts
• Adapting plans accordingly