Coastal Management Framework Research Articles

Sediment Quality Indices for the Assessment of Heavy Metal Risk in Nador Lagoon Sediments (Morocco) Using Multistatistical Approaches

Heavy metals in coastal ecosystems caused by the increased expansion of urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural practices have become a significant environmental risk to human well-being. This study evaluates and compares 17 sediment quality indices to examine the possible ecological and human health risks associated with heavy metal concentrations in the sediments of the Nador lagoon in Morocco. The concentration order of the HMs and sulfurs evaluated was S > Sr > Ba > V > Zr > Zn > Cr > Rb > La > Cu > Pb > Ni > Ce > Nd > Co > Sc > Nb > Ga > Th > Y > Hf. Sulfurs, Pb, Sr, and Nd exhibited concentrations that exceeded geochemical background values. The analysis of the sediment quality indices allowed us to understand that the Nador lagoon was moderately to strongly polluted by heavy metals originating from various anthropogenic activities. Results from the Sediment Quality Guidelines indicated a toxic response in the benthic organisms within the lagoon, while the ecological hazard analysis revealed a very high risk of heavy metal contamination in the ecosystem. The Hazard Index for non-carcinogenic values was below the limit, suggesting a lack of non-cancerous effects. However, Cu and Pb concentrations surpassed the Lifetime Cancer Risk range, indicating a potential cancer risk with prolonged exposure. Integrating our research into coastal management frameworks can contribute to the preservation and enhancement of these coastal ecosystems for future generations.

Measurement of Sustainable Development Implementation in Coastal and Ocean Bontang City through State of the Coast Measurement Processes

Development of a coastal area in a sustainable manner, it is necessary to integrate both governance aspects and sustainable development aspects through an integrated coastal management framework approach, starting from preparation, initiation, development, adoption, implementation, refining, and consolidation. At the preparation stage, basic data are compiled in comprehensive and integrated measures of government policies in overcoming environmental problems as outlined in the State of the Coast (SOC) report. The purpose of SOC report development is to identify gaps and review from the aspect of Governance and Sustainability with 11 elements and 36 indicators based on the SDG’s and SDS SEA Programs in a coastal area. The results of the SOC report are used as a basis for local governments to formulate policies for decision-making. Based on an assessment in Bontang City, aspects of governance, elements of policy, strategy, and planning are still relatively lacking. From the sustainable development aspect, elements of food security and livelihood improvement, management and reduction of pollution, utilization, and management of water resources and their recovery still need to be improved.

Index based approach for assessment of abundance of marine debris and status of marine pollution in Kandakuliya, Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka

Marine debris accumulation and contamination have become escalating yet disastrous environmental impacts in marine ecosystems at present Sri Lanka context. Thus, we conducted this study to assess the marine debris abundance and density in randomly selected sites (n = 6) of Kandakuliya beach, Negombo, Sri Lanka. Marine debris density was used to explore the extent of beach pollution from marine debris. 13 types of marine debris were found including sub types of marine debris. Higher abundance of fragment marine debris can be seen rather than whole marine debris in each site. Moreover, a significant difference of mean abundance of hard plastic was observed among 6 sites as spatial variation of hazardous marine debris. According to Clean Coast Index (CCI), site 1 was classified as the “extremely dirty”, while site 2 - site 4 were classified as “dirty”. As per the Hazardous Items Index (HII), site 1 - site 4 were grouped under the category (IV). Further according to Plastic Abundance Index (PAI) categories, site 1 was grouped as “high level of plastic contamination”, while site 2 and site 4 were grouped as “high to moderate level of plastic contamination”. Accumulation of hazardous and non-degradable waste carried away by wind and ocean current from unsustainable fishing practices, mismanagement of solid waste, destructive recreational activities have been recorded as main sources for observed marine debris on the beach. In conclusion, study showed that there exists a substantial need in incorporating marine beach and coastal management framework to preserve these ecosystems. Despites raising awareness and education, and beach cleanup initiatives, we suggest introduction of new waste management methods (especially, gears and boat waste) through innovation, strengthening legislation and regulations, corporate responsibility, and advanced research and development as further management steps must be taken to conserve the beach in Kandakuliya.

AUCKLAND COUNCIL’S PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABLE SHORELINE ADAPTATION PLANS

Auckland Council is currently developing shoreline adaptation plans across the Auckland region to support the sustainable management of public assets into the future with increasing coastal hazard risks. These build upon the Coastal Management Framework (Carpenter et al. 2017) and are being developed as 20 phased plans. At the time of writing the ‘Whangaparāoa’ and ‘Beachlands and East’ Shoreline Adaptation Plans (SAP) have been completed. The ‘Āwhitu Peninsula’ and ‘Manukau South’ SAPs are well underway, and the remaining SAPs are programmed to be completed over the next 4 years. To inform the development of the adaptation strategies numerous datasets were required. Coastal erosion and coastal flooding predictions have been mapped for the Auckland region to assess the evolving coastal hazards. Up-to-date coastal asset information was gathered through hundreds of coastal asset inspections for each SAP area. This asset data fed into adaptation strategy decisions as well as being incorporated into a regional risk assessment to assess the relative risk across Auckland’s SAP units.

Climate change, seaports, and coastal management in Brazil: An overview of the policy framework

Seaports are exposed to a variety of coastal risks, particularly when considering the effects of climate change, due to their location in the land–sea interface. The vulnerability of seaports, besides the robustness and design of their infrastructures, is also directly related to their adaptive capacity. A policy framework plays an important role in facing the effects of climate change by virtue of planning and supporting the implementation of adaptive measures. This research aims to identify and evaluate the extent to which the climate change topic is addressed by the port planning, coastal management, and climate adaptation policies of Brazil. A policy review was carried out and the documents were evaluated based on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action) targets. A multiscale analysis was performed to identify how different management levels address the topic in their planning. The results suggest that although Brazil has effectively addressed the climate issue with its Adaptation National Plan, the coastal management framework and primarily port planning both remain uncertain. The existing coastal policies for climate adaptation purposes remain virtually not implemented, and accomplishments related to port adaptations are based only on a recent national sustainability guideline agenda. Although climate change impacts are perceived on a local scale, the Brazilian coastal ports and cities have not institutionalized efforts to taking climate-adaptive actions. This observed gap points out the necessity of policymakers to enhance the planning and application of adaptation measures at the local level, as well as promote the cooperation between multiscale sectoral agencies. This overview illustrates several opportunities to update, redesign, and innovate coastal and port management instruments to address climate-related issues. Nature-based Solutions would appear as a fundamental approach to be incorporated in multi-scale policy frameworks, which would support coastal ports and cities in their becoming climate-resilient, thus containing socio-economic losses and environmental deterioration.

Assessment and prediction of shoreline change using multi-temporal satellite data and geostatistics: A case study on the eastern coast of India

Abstract Climate change and rising sea level is transforming global coastlines as corroborated by significant changes in the position of shoreline witnessed through coastal erosion or accretion. Andhra Pradesh has the second longest (972 km) coastline in India. The present study analyzed shoreline change and its future prediction by employing satellite-derived data and geographic information system. End point rate (EPR) and linear regression rate (LRR) statistical tools in the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) were used to estimate historical shoreline change rate between 1973 and 2015. Erosion and accretion of the coastline were delineated from Landsat satellite images for 1973, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2015; subsequently, shoreline is predicted for short-term (2025) and long-term (2050) periods. The study showcased that the river mouths of Krishna and Godavari experienced higher rate of change in shoreline position influenced by the deltaic environment and fluvial processes. LRR model prediction depicts the average rate of shoreline change during 2015–2025 will be −4.64 m, while between 2015 and 2050 it will increase to −16.25 m. The study observed that the error between predicted and actual shoreline is higher in the river mouth and deltaic plains. Predicted shoreline position will provide baseline information for adaptation strategies and policy framework for coastal management.

A Spatial Integrated SLR Adaptive Management Plan Framework (SISAMP) toward Sustainable Coasts

Sea-level rise (SLR) is known as a central part of the Earth’s response to human-induced global warming and is projected to continue to rise over the twenty-first century and beyond. The importance of coastal areas for both human and natural systems has led researchers to conduct extensive studies on coastal vulnerability to SLR impacts and develop adaptation options to cope with rising sea level. Investigations to date have focused mostly on developed and highly populated coasts, as well as diverse ecosystems including tidal salt marshes and mangroves. As a result, there is less information on vulnerability and adaptation of less-developed and developing coasts to sea-level rise and its associated impacts. Hence, this research aimed at outlining an appropriate coastal management framework to adapt to SLR on the coasts that are in the early stage of development. A coastal area with a low level of development, located in southern Iran along the Gulf of Oman, was selected as a case study. The types of lands exposed to the high-end estimates of SLR by 2100 were identified and used as the primary criteria in determining the practical adaptation approaches for developing coasts. The result of coastal exposure assessment showed that, of five exposed land cover types, bare land, which is potentially considered for development, has the highest percentage of exposure to future sea-level rise. In order to protect the exposed coastal lands from future development and increase adaptive capacity of coastal systems, we developed a Spatial Integrated SLR Adaptive Management Plan Framework (SISAMP) based on an exposure reduction approach. Spatial land management tools and coastal exposure assessment models along with three other key components were integrated into the proposed conceptual framework to reduce coastal vulnerability through minimizing exposure of coastal communities to SLR-induced impacts. This adaptation plan provides a comprehensive approach for sustainable coastal management in a changing climate, particularly on developing coasts.

Assessing the success of integrated shoreline management in the Tordera Delta, northeastern Spain

Coastal catchment zones have undergone enormous changes during recent decades that have compromised their resilience. As a consequence of largely fragmented coastal management frameworks in the delta region of the Tordera River, the beach of S’Abanell, located on the northern arm of the delta, was in a critically degraded condition by the end of 2006. To remedy this situation, the beach was artificially nourished with sand during the period 2007–2009. After nourishment, we observed a general trend of recovery of the width of the beach, in its northern and central parts, and the reappearance of a pattern of seasonal oscillation. This tendency was not observed in its southern part, near the river mouth, where the situation is still critical today. Tracing the decadal evolution of the problem, we strengthen the knowledge base by compiling a history of past human decisions responsible for the present situation. We promoted stakeholder engagement and participation aimed at reducing human pressures affecting the evolution of the beach and the loss of ecosystem services. The overall idea was to take the initial steps needed to shift the management of this coastal region towards ecosystem-based management principles. This research demonstrates that, under certain conditions, artificial nourishment can contribute to restoring beach health on a decadal scale.

Circles of Coastal Sustainability: A Framework for Coastal Management

The coastal zone is a space where many social, economic, and political activities intersect with natural processes. In this paper, we present an adaptation of the method of ‘Circles of Sustainability’, used to provide a visual assessment of indicators that define sustainability profiles for cities. It is used as a basis for a ‘Circles of Coastal Sustainability’ (CCS) framework that can be used at multiple spatial scales to assess indicators of critical processes that facilitate/constrain sustainability of the world’s coastal zones. The development of such a framework can support management by identifying key features that influence environmental sustainability and human well-being. CCS presents a holistic assessment of four interdependent boundary domains: Environment and Ecology, Social and Cultural, Economics, and Governance and Policy. This approach improves its utility and usability for decision-makers and researchers. CCS adds to existing assessment frameworks that are often focused on particular themes and/or domains that confine their utility to the context of sustainable development and the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which demand an inherently holistic and integrated evaluation. CCS is a holistic framework designed to assess the boundaries to sustainability for socio-ecological systems at multiple scales for the world’s coasts.

The evolution of the European framework for coastal management, linked to the new environmental challenges. The Portuguese case

The evolution of the European framework for coastal management, linked to the new environmental challenges. The Portuguese case

A systems approach framework for coastal management and its application in practice

A systems approach framework for coastal management and its application in practice

Beyond sectoral management: Enhancing Taiwan's coastal management framework through a new dedicated law

Sectoral management has long dominated the use of coastal zones in Taiwan. This approach addresses concerns faced by individual sectors. However, it fails to offer a holistic view to see the whole picture of interactions between various uses as well as a mechanism to engage in coordination among sectors and between levels of governments. In order to solve this failure, Taiwan's government stipulated a new dedicated law, the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), in 2015 to supplement existing sectoral management and promote sustainable development of coastal zones in an integrated way. This paper aims to examine Taiwan's coastal management framework with an emphasis on the CZMA. It specifically illustrates the practical application of the CZMA on offshore wind farms, which have recently gained momentum in Taiwan's pursuit of renewable energy. Finally, while the paper argues that the CZMA is conducive to an enhanced coastal management framework, it identifies areas deserving attention and proposed recommendations, including: encouraging public participation, employing living shoreline installations wherever appropriate, enhancing human resource capacity and conducting a complete survey of coastal resources so as to make an overall coastal spatial plan.

Lessons for the design of surf resource protection – The Australasian experience

Surf breaks are natural resources that provide substantial value to communities around the world. Following decades of coastal development that largely ignored these features, New Zealand and Australia have established innovative approaches for their protection. These are centred on national level initiatives that are now well established in coastal management frameworks. Through a case study approach this study evaluates the implementation aspects with a particular focus on effectiveness. The findings illustrate major differences between the systems. New Zealand has recently developed national policy that provides direct statutory protection for nationally important areas, and improved attention to regionally and locally important surf resources. Implementation is driven by regional jurisdictions through a hierarchy of policies and plans, and in practice, has proven extremely variable. Comparison of regional planning approaches shows inconsistencies in the scope and design of implementation methods that directly affect the level of protection provided. However, this compares to a prior situation of almost no statutory protection. Despite wide variance in the protection actually afforded, there are now over 250 surf breaks identified by statutory protection mechanisms. The Australian system utilises a non-statutory approach driven by a community organisation to address similar issues and objectives. The programme provides a consistent framework that facilitates high levels of protection where it has been applied. However, it has resulted in a relatively small number of implementations to date and relies on a high level of human agency. Compared to the extent of the surf resource this highlights potential issues for scalability. Comparing the strengths and weakness of each country's approach shows that the characteristic limitations affect different aspects of policy implementation. Combining the successful aspects of each will assist progress towards the sustainable management of surf resources.

Coastal zones in integrated river basin management in the West Coast of India: Delineation, boundary issues and implications

The management of the coastal region, its resources and stakeholder rights are treated in isolation from the associated river basins in most of the countries across the world. Incorporating the coastal stretch as an integral part of the basin becomes necessary due to the reciprocal relationships that exist between the coastal ‘tail-end’ ecosystems and upstream stretches. The present study addresses the challenges involved in integrating the coastal zones into the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) framework, especially in developing countries like India. As a part of this study, the river basins and their coastal watersheds in the west coast of India, a highly bio-diverse and densely populated region, is delineated using multiple high resolution datasets. A case study of one of the western coastal tracts is also attempted to identify the boundaries that have to be considered in the coastal zones for basin delineation. The ambiguities in the coastal drainage and floodplain boundaries due to the numerous cross-linkages that exist with the neighbouring estuaries, the multitude of small independent coastal catchments and asymmetries between surface and groundwater boundaries present difficulties in undertaking a strict hydrological delineation in the study region. Apart from these natural boundaries, various administrative/political units, coastal management frameworks, resource dependencies and livelihoods present additional boundary concerns for sustainable coastal management within IRBM. Taking these multiple boundaries of the coastal zone into account within the river basin regime becomes essential for resource sharing and legitimate interventions in upstream basin decisions that jeopardise the coastal ecosystem and livelihoods.

The difficult road to Integrated Coastal Zone Management implementation in Italy: Evidences from the Italian North Adriatic Regions

This work examines the evolution of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) concepts implementation in the Italian North Adriatic Regions: Marche, Emilia Romagna, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia between 2006 and 2011. In order to achieve such an objective a web-based survey has been realized and addressed to the different local and regional authorities that are competent, with different status and legal powers over coastal management. The study shows that in the considered area, although some improvements have been recorded, thanks to the transposition into the Italian legislative framework of EU provisions and above all, to local and regional efforts and initiatives, ICZM concepts are still far from being widely adopted. The weakest points reported are the fragmentation and poor coordination of the coastal management framework; the low attention given to economic data monitoring and stakeholders involvement. Furthermore, the lack of political support in the medium-long term and the availability of funds as well as the absence of monitoring and assessment strategies hinder the establishment of sustainable ICZM practices in the area. The findings of the study are then compared with other Countries, in order to draw conclusions on the barriers to ICZM implementation.

Coastal Management: Resolving Climate Change Issues Through a Statutory Framework

India’s long coastline has been impacted by unregulated human activities, rapid economic growth, and indiscriminate urbanization and sea level rise leaving marine areas distressed. There is overwhelming scientific evidence to suggest that rise in sea levels along India’s coast has been rising at the rate of 1.3mm per year and is likely to rise in future uninfluenced by curbs in the rise of global temperatures. India’s coastal management is undermined by the absence of a comprehensive statutory framework, the ensuing laxity in enforcement and compliance of regulatory norms and the absence of measures to protect its cultural and natural heritage. There is an undeniable need to configure a legal framework for coastal management that has in its core, an agenda that addresses climate change, promotes sustainable development and issues a mandate for adaptation and ultimately meets international standards. This paper will attempt to present an argument in favor of a statutory framework that will enhance the integrated coastal zone management plan in India, resolving conflicts arising out of economic, social and environmental issues encompassing coastal zone regulation.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management: Ecological, Socio-Economic and Governance Challenges

In the past 35 years, ICZM has become recognized as fundamental to good management of coastal resources as the World Bank, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme and the Food & Agriculture Organization recognize the special importance of coastal areas and resources, and are all involved in promoting, developing or implementing ICZM programmes worldwide and encouraging the use of ICZM indicators [1-3]. The development of an integrated coastal management framework for Mauritius is promoting sustainable development in the coastal zone and has moved towards optimisation of long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits [4-7]. The ICZM remains a continuous, proactive and adaptive process of resource management of multisectoral activities and maintains options for future uses of coastal and ocean resources in islands of the South West Indian Ocean and mainland coastal East Africa. The approach adopted under Recomap in 2008 has been one which examine many solutions and approaches, optimising strategies, plans and policy formulation. Final suggestions thereby representing best practices stand the best chance of adoption and success during implementation and it is essential to ensure stakeholder ownership of the programme achieved through stakeholder participation across the region. The approach is process oriented inclusive and has aimed to build consensus focusing on what is practical and achievable within the parameters of the programme, given the resource constraints, institutional capacity and willingness of other institutions and agencies, and other stakeholders to participate. Institutional integration and cooperation and stakeholder participation are not easily achieved, especially in the initial stages of the process and ICZM is considered a long-term process and strategy which gradually encourages, the major players and key stakeholders to join whenever they feel it is appropriate to do so [8-10]. A necessary condition for cooperation among different institutions is agreement on overall goals or strategic objectives, in resolving particular issues as the holding of regular meetings of the National ICZM Committee. The key to the beginning of cooperation is therefore an agreement on a tangible strategic objective that is of benefit to all concerned. Equally important, for the successful coordination and cooperation, is the development and establishment of an organisational structure that ensures maintenance of communications among organisations, provides effective oversight and handles disputes [11-13]. The ICZM project has been to prepare an ICZM strategy for Mauritius in line with government policies and strategies for overall sustainable development and also in accordance with the requirements of various regional and multi-lateral agreements to which Mauritius is party and which are pertinent to ICZM; to review and develop an appropriate policy and regulatory framework that promotes ICZM; and to develop ICZM plans for pressure zones to guide future development and interventions to promote sustainable development in the CZ [14-20]. In line with WIOMSA 2015 symposium in Durban, South Africa and COP21, Paris 2015, Mauritius is undertaking measures for sustainability, climate change adaptation and disaster mitigation towards the increase of renewable energy sources as discussed in RESUS 15 in Mauritius which would be beneficial to the island [21-25]. Articles and reviews aimed at increasing effective coastal zone management in ocean states are encouraged under the DPSIR Framework adopted for Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management so as to maximise the economic and social benefits obtained from the coastal region over the long term as holistic management of the often conflicting pressures on the coastal zone is essential [26-34].

Cliff instability and erosion management in England and Wales

Coastal risk management has received increasing attention from policy-makers and practitioners over the last 20 years. The introduction by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), of a new approach to coastal risk management in England, led to the Environment Agency being given overall responsibility for the management of coastal risks in 2007. The establishment of a framework for coastal management, together with appropriate policy guidance, is particularly important on account of the increasing influence that predicted climate change may have on coastal economies, infrastructure, communities and conservation interests over the next century. Within this framework, the issue of coastal land instability is now being considered alongside the hazards of coastal erosion and flooding. In developing coastal management policies, and in deciding on whether coastal change should be adapted to rather than prevented, the availability of funding for coastal risk management projects and schemes is often an overriding consideration. This is encouraging new and innovative approaches for the avoidance of risks, through the implementation of adaptation strategies and the publication of improved advice and guidance. This paper describes recent policy guidance for coastal cliffs introduced in England and Wales, as well as the testing of new approaches in the field, and provides examples of updated tools to support engagement with stakeholders.

The role of an integrated coastal management framework in the long-term restoration of Yundang Lagoon, Xiamen, China

Thirty years ago, Yundang Lagoon, located in the centre of Xiamen in southeast China, was heavily polluted. A series of clean-up projects have been implemented since the 1980s. After three phases of restoration projects, the lagoon's environment quality has improved significantly, although it is not fully restored. Clean-up activities are still ongoing. In 1994, Xiamen became the first city in China to adopt an Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) strategy to address its coastal environmental problems. The restoration of Yundang Lagoon remained a priority and has been a key issue in the development of the city's pollution abatement and environmental management strategy. This study reviews and examines the restoration efforts and management scheme of Yundang Lagoon from 1988 to the present, analyses the environmental changes, explores the challenges of its restoration and analyses the benefits of ICM to its long-term restoration by extracting six key principles. Specific suggestions are proposed for future restoration and management work. Findings from this review may have general implications for decision makers to formulate future sustainability and management strategies on coastal environment restoration programmes.

A Race for Marine Space: Science, Values, and Aquaculture Planning in New Zealand

New Zealand (NZ) has developed a coastal management framework that includes large watersheds and territorial waters (out to 12 nautical miles). The article describes the developing conflicts associated with the biophysical and epistemological dimensions of expanding coastal marine space for aquaculture. We first review aquaculture policy in NZ, and recent evidence of the biophysical impacts from increasing terrestrial inputs on marine ecosystems. We provide a case study of conflict over a recent proposal to expand salmon aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds, which covers some 4,000 km2 of sounds, islands, and peninsulas. Based on information and data from interviews of stakeholders involved in the aquaculture planning, we describe three diverse epistemologies of science—client-based science, civic science, and Māori traditional ecological knowledge. We conclude the article with a critical review of how to better resolve spatial conflicts that often emerge in coastal management and planning.