A handbook for measuring the progress and outcomes of integrated coastal and ocean management
In addressing integrated coastal and ocean management (ICOM), the authors refer to a dynamic, multidisciplinary, iterative and participatory process to promote sustainable management of coastal and ocean areas balancing environmental, economic, social, cultural and recreational objectives over the long-term. ICOM entails the integration of all relevant policy areas, sectors, and levels of administration. It means integration of the terrestrial and marine components of the target territory, in both time and space. ICOM, therefore, is an approach to manage not only coastal areas but exclusive economic zones and large marine ecosystems, serving the purposes of national ocean policies.
Understanding the economic and social consequences of living in a coastal environment is important. Such an understanding usually predates management actions to control or mitigate the consequences of weather events. It is also often required to stimulate necessary investment in oceanographic prediction and control devices and associated modeling and analysis. It is also relevant for an assessment of the consequences of human-induced coastal habitat alteration that may exacerbate the impact of weather events.
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