Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is the process which seeks to integrate the different policies and actions that have an effect on the coast, and bring stakeholders together to inform, support and implement these policies and actions in a coordinated and transparent way.
Defra intend that the principles of ICZM will be embedded throughout any of the relevant proposals in the draft Marine Bill.
European Perspective
On 7 June 2007, the EU adopted a Commission Communication on Integrated Coastal Zone Management following the evaluation of an EU ICZM Recommendation.
This Recommendation outlined 8 key principles for ICZM, which had been identified through an EU demonstration programme:
1. a broad holistic perspective (thematic and geographic);
2. a long-term perspective;
3. adaptive management;
4. local specificity;
5. working with natural processes and respecting the carrying capacity of ecosystems;
6. participatory planning;
7. support and involvement of relevant administrative bodies; and
8. use of a combination of instruments.
National Perspective
The EU Recommendation asked Member States to undertake a national stocktaking of legislation, institutions and stakeholders involved in the management of the coastal zone and, based on this, to develop national strategies to deliver ICZM. In 2003, Defra and the devolved administrations joined together to commission the stocktaking for the UK.
The project summarised the current legal framework for managing activities in coastal areas and identified the key stakeholders. The Stocktake presented a mixed picture of the current level of integrated management in the UK. There were good examples at the local level where voluntary integrated action to resolve conflicts had been successful.
It also demonstrated that coastal fora/partnerships, such as the Solent Forum, were an effective way of moving ICZM forward at local level.
Local Perspective
At the local level, a number of coastal forums, groups and partnerships have developed to both resolve specific issues of concern and to bring together the variety of stakeholders in the coastal zone to promote a sustainable approach to the planning, management and use of the area. The exact remits of the groups vary but almost all initiatives possess a common purpose of promoting a more integrated approach to local coastal management by: facilitating cooperation and resolving conflicts; raising awareness and understanding; and collecting and distributing information.
The Solent is home to over one million people and is intensively used for both recreation and commerce. It is also highly designated with the majority of the coastline being internationally recognised as being important for nature conservation. Over time these sectoral interests have developed plans and strategies for the management of the coast. There are now over 100 management plans which cover all or part of the Solent and address issues such as nature conservation, coastal defence, water management and emergency planning.
The Solent Forum was established in 1992 in order to develop a greater understanding among the authorities and agencies involved in the planning and management of the Solent, and to assist and influence them in carrying out their functions. It seeks to develop the principles of ICZM by building partnerships, co-ordinting plans and strategies and sharing information for the common good.
