Coastal Development

More than 2.5 billion people (40% of the world’s population) live within 100 km of the coast, ref adding increased pressure to coastal ecosystems. Coastal development linked to human settlements, industry, aquaculture, and infrastructure can cause severe impacts on nearshore ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Coastal development impacts may be direct (e.g., land filling, dredging, and coral and sand mining for construction) or indirect (e.g., increased runoff of sediment, sewage, and pollutants).

Sediment impacts on reefs in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic. Photo © Jeff Yonover

Management Strategies

The impacts of coastal development can be drastically reduced through effective planning land-use regulations, and integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategies. For example, planning and management approaches can include land-use zoning plans and regulations, protection of coastal habitats (such as mangroves), coastal setbacks that restrict development within a fixed distance from shore, watershed management, improved collection and treatment of wastewater and solid wastes, and management of tourism within sustainable levels. Strategies described for managing land-based sources of pollution can also be used to mitigate negative impacts of coastal development on coral reefs.

ICZM also requires integrating traditional knowledge, local key stakeholders, and legal and institutional frameworks to strengthen incentives and positive outcomes from proposed management strategies.