COASTAL MANAGEMENT

The three principal objectives of coastal management are to: (1) Avoid development in areas that
are vulnerable to inundation; (2) Ensure that critical natural systems continue to function; and (3)
Protect human lives, essential properties, and economic activities against the ravages of the seas.
Accordingly, such programmes should give full consideration to ecological, cultural, historic,
and aesthetic values, and to the needs for human safety and economic development.

Coastal management programmes usually include governmental controls and private-sector

incentives. Vulnerable areas are managed to minimize loss of life and property through such
means as setback lines, limits on population densities, minimum building elevations, and coastal
hazard insurance requirements. Resilient natural protective features, such as beaches, sand dunes,
mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs, are conserved and enhanced, which also maintains
biological diversity, aesthetic values, and recreation.

Comprehensive plans for protecting existing economic activities help to ensure that defense
measures are consistent with other coastal management objectives. Policies that specify which
activities and development are permitted in new areas promote efficient private land use with the
least risk of exposure to coastal hazards.

Successful coastal management programmes require public education to gain broad-based

support, and public participation to ensure equal representation of interests.

Response strategies fall into three broad categories:

• Retreat: Abandonment of land and structures in vulnerable areas, and resettlement of
inhabitants.
• Accommodation: Continued occupancy and use of vulnerable areas.
• Protection: Defense of vulnerable areas, especially population centres, economic activities, and
natural resources.

An extract from: GILBERT & VELLINGA. (1990). “Coastal Zone Management”.

English for GADEC _Year 2_Angoche Campus _UniRovuma. Lecturer: Rui ABILIO, MA Cdt