Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
ICZM means adopting a joined-up approach to the management of the many different interests in coastal areas – both on land and at sea. It is the process of harmonising the different policies and decision making structures bringing coastal stakeholders together to take concerted action towards achieving common goals. Integrating the many different interests means coastal areas can be managed in a holistic way.
EU Recommendation on ICZM
In 2002, European Member States adopted a Recommendation on implementing integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) in Europe. Member States were asked to report back to the Commission on their experience in implementing the Recommendation 45 months after its adoption.
- EU Recommendation (on EU website)
Although not a requirement of the Recommendation, in 2010, the European Commission requested that Member States each provide a further report on the implementation of ICZM since 2006.
- UK Government report to the Commission (PDF) – 08 December 2010
EU evaluation of the ICZM Recommendation
In 2007, the European Commission reviewed progress on the recommendation, and decided that improvements were being achieved across Europe, although in some cases slowly. The Commission issued a Communication concluding that no further actions or new legislation was needed at that stage.
- Evaluation of ICZM in Europe (PDF on European Commission website)
- Communication from the Commission (PDF on Eur-Lex website)
ICZM and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
The principles of ICZM are embedded throughout relevant proposals in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The Act provides a real opportunity to join up marine management with existing arrangements on land. Marine planning in particular will make a significant contribution to ICZM as Marine Plans will extend up to the level of mean high water spring tides while local authority boundaries generally extend to mean low water mark, Marine Plans will physically overlap with terrestrial plans. This overlap ensures that marine and land planning will address the whole of the marine and terrestrial environments respectively, and not be restricted by an artificial boundary at the coast.
This geographic overlap means that organisations will need to work together and will help to ensure effective harmonisation of plans. National and local objectives should be reinforced if they are reflected in marine and terrestrial plans. This overlap will also offer new opportunities for coastal regulators and communities to have a say in the way the marine environment is managed, and conversely for marine management to give proper consideration to land planning. Moreover the marine plan authority will need to take all reasonable steps to secure compatibility with the terrestrial planning system in England.
Contact us
For more information, email: iczm@defra.gsi.gov.uk