The Integrated approach to Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

Background

ICZM in Europe

Since the 1970s the EU has been dealing with coastal zones through international conventions covering its regional seas. More recentrly, the EU has begun to specifically address problems related to the state of coasts and the coast as a regional entity.

Many coastal authorities are engaging in ICZM in order to coordinate the multiple uses of the coastal zones, their impacts and development policies. Currently ICZM is under development for around the 80% of the EU coastline (source unmentioned!). The coherence of EU policies affecting the coastal zones and the integration of the various levels of governance are a pre-requisite for successful ICZM.

ICZM EU policies

• ICZM Strategy -COM(2000)547 final

• EU ICZM Recommendation (2002/413/EC)

Coastal related EU policies

• Marine Strategy -COM(2005)505, 24 October 2005

• Green Paper for a EU Maritime Policy

• Water Framework Directive (2000)

• Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2001)

• Quality of Bathing Water Directive (1976, agreed for amendment in 2005)

• Quality required of shellfish waters Directive (1979)

• European spatial development perspective (1999)

Relevant links