. . .
��Each coastal state should consider establishing�appropriate coordinating mechanisms�� (17.6)
�Coastal states, with support of international organisations, on request, should undertake measures to maintain biological diversity and productivity of marine habitats and species�� (17.7)
�Coastal states�should improve their capacity to collect, analyse, assess and use information for sustainable use of resources, including environmental impact assessments�� (17.8)
��with due regard to traditional ecological knowledge and socio cultural values�� (17.15)
��Full cooperation should be extended, upon request, to coastal states in their capacity-building efforts�� (17.17)
��coastal states commit themselves to integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas and the marine environment under their national jurisdiction.� (17.5)
Agenda 21, Chapter 17, Section A
Integrated Management and Sustainable Development of Coastal and Marine Areas, Including Exclusive Economic Zones
Despite efforts on sub-regional to global scales, current approaches to the management of marine and coastal resources have proven unsuccessful in achieving sustainable development. The coastal environment and its resources are being rapidly degraded and eroded in many parts of the world. On a global scale approximately half the world�s salt marshes and mangrove swamps have been cleared, diked, or filled. Ten percent of coral reefs have been completely destroyed and seventy percent of the world�s beaches are eroding. Agenda 21 aims to combat this through preventative and precautionary approaches. The responsibility for this has been given to the �coordinating institution� who, along with the general public�s support and involvement must attempt to meet the objectives of the Agenda.
The coordinating mechanism for the implementation of Agenda 21 is not necessarily an �institution� in the true meaning of the word, it is a body of experts, a government institution, a management database or any other fora which exists to coordinate the work of the various stakeholders and interest groups involved in coastal management activities. Its responsibility is to act as a central body through which all necessary information can be passed and made available and has the following roles and responsibilities.
Production of coastal and marine use plans (including profiles of coastal ecosystems and user groups).
Environmental impact assessments and monitoring programmes for all coastal developments and management issues.
Contingency planning for human induced and natural disasters.
Improvement of coastal human settlements.
Conservation and restoration of critical habitats.
Integration of sectoral practices (e.g. fishing and tourism) to ensure that all stakeholders have an input to management decisions.
The importance of communication and cooperation between coastal and non-coastal states cannot be stressed enough. Without the sharing of technologies and information, integrated coastal management and sustainable development will remain buzzwords or sound bites. Cooperation between states can lead to the management practices best suited to environmental protection and preservation:
National and international guidelines for integrated coastal zone management.
Maintenance of biodiversity and productivity of marine habitats and species.
Information on social and natural science variables that are essential for sustainable development.
Environmental education and training with the establishment of centres of excellence.
Utilisation of traditional ecological knowledge and socio-cultural values.
In 1992 many of the worlds coastlines were suffering from intense development pressures and their environments were being degraded by anthropogenic activities. A good example of this can be seen in the Caspian Sea. Five countries border the Caspian Sea: The Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Obviously there are many political, socio-economic and environmental issues both in the Caspian region and between the different countries who claim a degree of sovereignty over its waters. The Caspian Sea has large resources of oil and gas and also the obvious environmental issues that accompany them, and is a major source of the world�s caviar. Any environmental issue tackled by a government is going to have a direct effect upon the environmental issues in the coastline owned by another government. It is in areas such as this, with high political tension, that the spirit of cooperation and integration promoted by the formulation of Agenda 21 was most needed.
Stressing the need for cooperation and the sharing of information between member states to ensure that everyone can act in a way that will effectively benefit the
environment.
Improving the capacity to collect, handle, and use information on coastal resources, both in terms of science and technology, while also making the information available to other member states.
Improving the capacity building of coastal states and developing nations so that they have the best technology and scientific
information available to them.
Utilising traditional ecological knowledge and environmental education to promote management decisions which benefit the coastal environment and its inhabitants.