Talk:Coastal zone delimitation

Job Dronkers comment: The territorial demarcation of the coastal zone is controversial. As argued in the article Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), the establishment of fixed coastal zone boundaries is not necessary and can be counterproductive.

The coastal zone is influenced by processes, policies and practices far inland (e.g. the catchment area of an estuary) and far offshore (e.g. invasion of alien species, harmful algal blooms, pollution from oil spills). Conversely, processes, policies and practices in the coastal zone can have an impact far inland (e.g. protecting the hinterland from flooding, providing port and recreational facilities) and far away (e.g. breeding and nursery grounds for marine species and migratory birds). Territorial demarcation of the coastal zone can therefore cut off stakeholder relations and hinder integrated management of the coastal zone. A process approach to ICZM, in which solutions are sought within existing institutional and legal frameworks in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, can be more effective than an institutional approach based on plans and programs defined by administrations with territorially confined responsibilities.