Unit 4 INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (ICZM)

Unit 4 INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (ICZM) Objectives At the completion of this unit, you will be able to: Understand the basics of ICZM and why there is a need for it Understand the meanings of resource use conflicts and best practices as they apply to ICZM and marine tourism in general Integrate coastal zone management and marine/reef conservation into a sustainable tourism development strategy. Use innovative resource planning techniques and coastal zone management best practices which have succeeded in tourist destinations in developed and developing countries Introduction Integrated Coastal Zone Management is a planning framework, which plans to resolve issues and come up with a sustainable system, while allowing certain uses of the coastal zone. This is where the statement, Everything is connected, is really dealt with. ICZM has many names, coastal resource management, integrated coastal management, community based coastal resource management, they all have similar concepts and principles and so can be considered the same for purposes of this course. The coastal zone is where the land and sea connect and it is in this zone where most intense human activities are focused. The reasons are obvious nature is most The George Washington University 23 610-Unit 4

productive along the coastal zone and thus it is here where humans come to take advantage of these natural resources. Unfortunately, many human activities conflict with one another and the marine ecosystems basic functions, resulting in the degradation and destruction of the ecosystem. The solution is to minimize destructive and conflicting human activities whilst enhancing the marine resources to continue providing the services and uses that the human communities and interests in the area require. Effective management requires a good understanding of the natural resources and an appreciation of the special character of the local people. Management programs must involve the local people in the entire process from defining goals to implementing sustainable management strategies. The process is logical but difficult and requires a long time, but if done properly it should leave behind a mechanism and a core of well-educated stakeholders, which should ensure continued sustainable management well into the future. ICZM is a continuous and dynamic process that unites government and the community, science and management, sectoral and public interests in preparing and implementing an integrated plan for the protection and development of coastal ecosystems and resources. Definition: Integrated Coastal Zone Management - Definition Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) comprises those activities that achieve sustainable use and management of economically and ecologically valuable resources in coastal areas that consider interaction among and within resource systems as well as interaction between humans and their environment. Why Is ICZM Needed? The coastal zone contains the brunt of the productive ecosystems and is literally the interface between the sea and the land, which receives the brunt of the by-products and impacts of human life. A common definition is that it extends from approximately 1 km inshore out to a few kilometers offshore, though it can be larger. For recreation purposes however we can stick with the above definition, as most recreational activities will take place form 1 km inshore to a few kilometers offshore. The coastal zone contains the majority of the productive ecosystem of the marine ecosystem. Coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, muddy bottom areas, estuaries, all of which thrive in this shallow and productive area. The Coastal Zone (CZ) is dynamic and constantly changing in line with the daily tides, storms, and other natural and human induced activities, which affect its jurisdiction. This area covers only 10 % of earth s surface but is responsible for 30 % the ocean s productivity. The George Washington University 24 610-Unit 4

Critically the coastal zone cuts physical features and boundaries, administrative boundaries and biological features, in a way that already may not be compatible. For instance, an administrative (political) boundary may cut a beach in half, meaning that two sides of a beach are managed by completely different authorities. A beach like this needs to be managed consistently, but due to political boundaries, this may not be the case. Coastal management has a long history of being reactive, resolving issues only once they have become serious. ICZM aims to be pro-active and resolve future problems in a systematic manner. If implemented properly ICZM can save a lot of time and money in the long run. There is a need for a special integrated management of the coastal zone because: The existing planning, legislation, and institutional implementation mechanisms are insufficient to meet with the multitude of problems and variety of uses of the coastal zone. Coastal resources cannot be managed on a sustainable basis unless those who exploit them are committed to the goal of sustainable development The coastal zone has a variety of issues and problems and has seen huge changes over the last century There is a need to understand all the impacts and sources of these impacts before you can begin to manage such a complex and dynamic system It is important to lay down a policy framework prior to tourism entry in the area so as to manage and minimize the impacts of these developments before you end up ruining the very resource which is the magnet for attracting people (i.e. coral reefs) Development of piers, hotels and other land-based activities can have a huge impact on the coastal ecosystem. Set back zones need to be implemented which disallow any constructions within 50 meters for example of the beach. If the beach is covered with constructions, piers, cottages etc. then obviously it will not be as aesthetic pleasing. These developments will also affect sands natural movement and may in the long-run lead to the beach being eroded and the beach eventually washing away. Likewise, sewage disposal needs to be resolved and should not be allowed to seep into the marine ecosystem. It should be treated before disposal and hotels and resorts can even jointly purchase a mini sewage treatment facility and there are many best practices which can help remove this problem. Resource Use Conflicts Conflicts arise when different uses of the coastal environment are incompatible and both continue in the area e.g. many visitors to a beach where turtles lay their eggs and eventually disturb the turtles until they can no longer lay their eggs The George Washington University 25 610-Unit 4

If conflicts are not resolved, one or eventually both uses and users will suffer and have a negative impact on the area, making it less conducive to attracting tourists etc. Conflicts arise when: o o o There is a shore-based activity, which interferes with a water-based activity, such as building of a wharf in an area used by local fisherfolk to fish and dock their boats, jet skiing near to a bird sanctuary or diving area There are different types of water-based recreation in an area There is a mix of commercial, local and environmental interests over an area, all competing to use the same resource for different activities How to resolve these conflicts (through using a basic ICZM planning process) The first step is to identify the existing / potential recreational uses. Identify the spatial and time patterns as well as any long-term trends. Review these and look at the compatibility of these with each other, some may be compatible, some may not During the identification process, identify: Availability of facilities and access for recreational purposes Level of activity and the nature of the activities being undertaken Interaction between the local peoples, businesses and recreations proposed Any possible trends / proposed developments for the area / future recreational activities Safety implications, lifeguards, navigation etc Then through a participatory process which includes all the local stakeholders from all the sectors in the area: Develop a common vision with the local, business and recreational uses for the area and develop a management strategy, which will best achieve the desired recreational and environmental goals. This may involve some compromises between groups and must be part of a participatory / consultative process. Implement the management strategy through the preparation of a local plan, this plan should: Ban certain activities which are not compatible with the vision and goals set for the area (i.e. commercial sewage plant for a city next to a recreation area will be a clear conflict) Zone the accepted uses and lay down clear policies for each zone The George Washington University 26 610-Unit 4

Introduce codes of behavior, registration / licensing of users and ensure they are aware of infringements and that there is a penalty, either financially or culturally (offender publicly denounced in local newspapers / radio etc.) Next is to enforce the management plan, there may be the need to deputize certain wardens or other persons to enforce the laws, need for establishment of good signage, notices and billboards to people visiting the area. Finally, monitor and review the plan as necessary and keep involvement of stakeholders high by having annual reviews and open discussions regarding the status of the plan and new proposals etc. Best Practices / Principles of ICZM Work at both the national and local levels with strong linkages between levels (the two-track approach) Build programs around issues that have been identified through a participatory process Build constituencies and political support for resource management through public education programs Develop an open, participatory and democratic process, involving all stakeholders in planning and implementation Build capacity at the national, regional and local levels to practice integrated, community-based management of coastal resources through training, learning-by-doing and cultivating host country colleagues who can forge long-term partnerships based on shared values Adopt policies that lead to economically and ecologically sustainable and equitable resource management Strengthen or introduce mechanisms for cross-sectorial action, integration of planners, ecologists, politicians, private and civil society into the planning process. Adopt an incremental, adaptive, and long-term approach to integrated coastal management, recognizing that undergo cycles of development, implementation and refinement, building on prior success and adapting and expanding to address new or more complex issues Involve all the interested parties and stakeholders in the whole process, allowing them to innovate and adapt the practice to their own needs Adopt an integrated approach, which enables full coordination between all stakeholders, national government, local government, non government organizations, national government agencies and civic groups The George Washington University 27 610-Unit 4

Have continuous monitoring, assessment, documentation, and feedback of the interventions, allowing for micro and macro level project intervention adjustments on a regular basis. Follow a given road map / master plan developed by the local stakeholders that can be adjusted to local nuances and new happenings Despite ICZM focusing on managing the ecosystems and resources of any area, it is important to stress that in order to achieve change in any part of the coastal zone the program needs to focus on effecting and mainstreaming changes in people s behavior. The coastal zones problems will only be resolved if people s ability to make informed decisions about the coastal resource use is enhanced, copious amounts of public participation in the coastal management planning process is therefore required. Meeting Ecological and Economic Goals Traditional challenges of resource management short-term (economic) vs. long-term (ecological) benefits use vs. protection One best practice for he management of coral reefs is the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPA s) Complexities/difficulties Traditional uses are sometimes destructive. Local people will however not be happy to have outsiders come in and tell them what they are doing is wrong, especially if they do not see any benefits in stopping it i.e. dynamite fishing. Time and costs required to establish and maintain marine protected areas are high and sometimes after all the effort, they only end up as a law in theory and not in practice, which is never agreed upon by local people or enforced properly. If there is no enforcement then this can in general be blamed on a lack of full participation by local stakeholders in the establishment. Need copious amounts of education, hands-on learning, and a pace, which goes in time with the community to implement this, as well as a lot of patience on the part of the community and facilitator. The marine environment is inter-connected to many separate ecosystems and so a good zoning system for large areas is required even around and outside of the MPA. The George Washington University 28 610-Unit 4

Benefits of a successful MPA Economic development and jobs from a more sustainable resource base and from tourism Long-term protection of resource for future generations biodiversity and ecological integrity Options for research, monitoring and education on relatively undisturbed ecosystem Other possible effects on local area due to the activities, disturbance, noise and pollution. Example: Bonaire Marine Park Economic importance of tourism Established 1980 s moorings Scientific research to select scientific reserves User fee proposed but resisted by dive community ($.50/air fill) Mid-1980 s ineffective enforcement and management ended up a paper park Early-1990 s park revitalization User fees (willingness to pay 92 % of divers agreed user system was reasonable) Licensing of operators to insure resource protection and management New institutional structure Benefits and costs prevention reef degradation study of system health by diver questionnaire and reef survey definite impact of divers but limited in scale Concept of carrying capacity 4,000 to 6,000 divers/ year /site spaced moorings, max total numbers of divers per site Economic Benefits Diver fees Hotels Dive operations Restaurants, auto rental, souvenirs Air transport The George Washington University 29 610-Unit 4

Taxes Costs of protection Establishment Operation Management alternatives to increase reef protection and reef use Are Reefs More Valuable Than Forests? The Palawan, Philippines study measured economic losses due to sediment pollution; logging vs. tourism and fisheries (See Reference by Gregor Hodgson) At Bacuit Bay, the impact of logging on reefs through increased sedimentation resulted in degradation of reefs and loss of fisheries and ecotourism (2 international dive resorts) Erosion logged areas 4x greater than virgin forest and roads 240x virgin forest and produced 85 % of total erosion even though small % of total area Conclusion Over a 10 year period protecting the forest from deforestation would result in $11,000,000 more revenue from fisheries and tourism than from harvesting the forest! 1 km square of coral reef in excellent condition* (more than 75% live hard coral cover) can provide up to 20,000 Kg of marine products per year indefinitely - enough to feed around 1000 families. 1 Km of reef which has been destroyed** (less than 25% living hard coral cover) can provide a meager 2-3,000 kg of marine products per year or enough to feed only 100 families. *Other benefits such as tourism, the value of the biodiversity contained in the area, the other services it provides us humans are not included, making the resource in an excellent condition so much more valuable to us. **It takes up to 40-50 years, if at all for a destroyed reef to recover. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) There are a variety of Marine Protected Areas in the world, these include National parks (Florida Keys), World Heritage Sites (Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef), Government implemented sanctuaries, Marine parks and community based marine sanctuaries. The George Washington University 30 610-Unit 4

They are all similar in that they: Have a legal basis, Involve the local communities (in most cases) and Have a core no fishing / no take zone, which allows marine organisms and their habitats to recover from decades of fishing. Around these areas are buffer zones, which allow certain human activities to take place. By far the most successful of these in developing countries are the community based marine sanctuaries of which there are many examples now. Their successes are solely attributed to local ownership and complete involvement of all stakeholders in the establishment process. Why are MPAs important Easy to establish and enforce, need only be a small area to be effective Protect breeding stocks and act as insurance area against stock collapses Marine organisms from inside leak to the outside allowing increased catches in the areas / buffer zone around the sanctuary for benefit of local communities Many species of fish and animal benefit, protects and enhances the habitat, protects biodiversity, provides additional economic benefits for local communities through ecotourism activities etc. They are hard to implement as they need a large education program first, also they do not provide protection for some migratory species that are only passing through. Given the current dismal state of world s fish stocks they seem to be one of the few successful implementation strategies, which work to secure fish stocks. MPA s are ideal for basing ecotourism projects around (if the community permits) and divers can pay a small fee for entry, which can be used to help the community manage and enforce the sanctuary. This can provide incentives to the community for their management and can also help to offset some of the costs of equipping the sanctuary with signboards, mooring buoys, law enforcement equipment such as megaphones and patrol boat and gasoline expenses etc.) Size of Marine Protected Areas How Large and How Small Apo Island, Negros Oriental, Philippines 0.3 km 2 Saba, Caribbean 0.9 km 2 The George Washington University 31 610-Unit 4

Anse Chastanet Reserve, St Lucia, Caribbean 2.6 ha has resulted in fisheries enhancement by factor of 2 Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Predators and herbivores both have responded Some species appeared to use as a refuge from fishing Why Do Some Marine Protected Areas Succeed and Others Fail? Examples Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Great Barrier Reef Saba Marine Park The George Washington University 32 610-Unit 4