Integrated Coastal Zone Management on a transnational area: The Gulf of Honduras

Abstract

In the geographical area of the Gulf of Honduras (GoH) shared by Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, ecosystems, cultures and diverse economic activities converge. In this space, there is evidence of growing impacts and threats, which must be addressed from a joint working perspective. This research was based on an interdisciplinary analysis of the problems and public policies related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the GoH. The DAPSI(W)R(M) method was applied to understand the coastal-marine problems, where the Response section was complemented using the Decalogue of Integrated Coastal Zone Management. This was followed by an analysis of the common initiatives of the three countries. Emphasis is placed on the proper harmonisation of national public policy responses and the design and implementation of supranational instruments aimed at the sustainability of the GoH. It is a supranational space that currently has no common public policy initiative on Integrated Coastal Zone Management.