Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in ...

Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Europe – Final Report
Strengthen the European dimension of ICZM based on
a Regional Seas approach
Follow the EEA recommendation of regionalisation and
enhance ICZM activities on a supra-national level,
providing a common European frame to help bringing
actors together, building capacities and harmonising
practices in a trans-national perspective.
1
ICZM is essentially a local activity implemented by public and
private stakeholders on the ground. However, the particular
development challenges faced by coastal zones are rarely
contained within the borders of a single authority or state.
Rather, these challenges imply a genuine trans-national
dimension: Looking at the interactions between ecosystems,
regional production systems, as well as social structures and
cultural patterns typically requires taking into account larger
geographical areas that cut across (national) boundaries while
also linking land and sea development.
Rationale
Trans-national
dimension:
Regional Seas
In order to become more coherent and effective and to add
value to local initiatives, ICZM in Europe thus needs to be
informed and coordinated at higher levels. The adequate spatial
scale appears to be the ecosystem areas of the five Regional
Seas (Baltic, North, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea) - all
partaking in a European process of exchange and mutual
learning. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, concrete
actions will still have to be devised and implemented locally, but
coordination needs to be strengthened across the Regional
Seas, and also across Europe.
At present, however, the institutional framework through which
ICZM concepts and practices could be shared and promoted is
still fragmented – across Europe but also within Member States
– with the EU ICZM Recommendation as the only common
reference.
To tackle this deficit first requires obtaining a comprehensive
picture of current coastal zone management activities and
related policy processes in Europe. The stocktake exercise
carried out by the Member States should provide the necessary
insight here. It should form the basis for devising international
cooperation strategies for each Regional Sea, involving also
Accession Countries and non-EU member states. Stakeholders
have to become aware of ICZM and better understand its
purpose and principles, contributing to harmonise and elaborate
practical methods through trans-national cooperation and
dialogue.
Fragmented
institutional
framework
Broad stakeholder
involvement
needed
A strong effort for coordination and orientation at the European
level is therefore needed to ensure the feasibility of the
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