ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management)
Integrated Coastal Zone Management is a dynamic, multidisciplinary and interactive strategy that promotes sustainable management within coastal zone including waters and lands. It connects all participants that are involved in the development, management and use of coast in a framework that provides them integration of their interests and responsibilities. The balance between cultural, economic, environmental, recreational and social aspirations is the main aim.
The impact of fishing, aquaculture, pollution, rapid human population growth, poor employment opportunities in coastal communities together with other environmental concerns were the main reasons that contributed to the development of ICZM.
A European Union ICZM Demonstration Programme consolidated 35 projects within socio-economic, cultural, administrative and physical conditions areas through the European countries between 1996 and 1999. Conclusions drawn from this project were as follows:
- ICZM should be innately inter- and multidisciplinary and should encourage to integration of terrestrial and marine components
- ICZM should emphasize the need for integration of all relevant policy areas, sectors, and levels of administration
- ICZM should take into account all informed participation and cooperation of all concerned parties to assess the public objectives.
In other words, ICZM involves the governance where partnership with all groups of interests within society and collaboration of all coastal zone stakeholders is essential for implementation of a developemnent model that considers their collective interest.
