Part of our second year degree programme for Coastal Zone Management was an end test, reflecting to conflict resolution at the coastal zone. Below is a abstact from the test, it contains three parts; conflicts on the coastal zone, parties involved and a scenario where through forums and imaginative reflection the conflict could be resolved.
Dubai is fast becoming the 'play ground for the world's rich' it is focusing on coastal development, improving the transport system and providing a seamless experience for tourism. Above, Palm Island has been created as a millionaires 'paradise', combining designer shopping boulavards and waterfront mansions. It causes conflict between many users; environmental bodies, shipping companies and developers. The global economy is incresing at unpresidented rates and the expansion of the coastal zone cannot be halted, therefore it is about finding a balance through conflict resolution to enable tollerance and agreement by all parties involved.
Some other conflicts which exsist at the coastal zone interface are aggregate dredging, waste desposal, pollution, shipping knock on effects causing the spread of invasive species, development (commercial and residential), intensive farming run-off, habitat an species destruction and therefore environmental concerns and issues, cruise ships and tourism. Where there are areas of poverty, poor infrastucture, heavy industry and a lack of education the pressure on the coastal zone and marine environment is increased.
There are a plethora of diverse parties and stakeholders which have an economical, social, personal or vested interest in the coast and marine environment and some of these parties are listed below.
Due to the demand on energy from society and industry the present available renewable energy is insufficient, by 202o, Europe aims to provide 16% of its power by wind generation. The reserection of turbines causes contention between environmenatlists and stakeholders.
A conflict at the coastal interface
In the last 60 years there has been a worldwide increase of intensive farming, thus more nutrients entering the marine environment via run-off, this is called
nutrient loading. It tips the natural balance of necessary nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate and can cause a phonomena named
eutrophication. This shatters healthy ecosystems and habitats via biological processes such as
hypoxia, it can increase the occurance of
Harmful Algae Blooms and also has the ability to create shadowing, effecting to the zoo and phytoplankton in the epipelagic.
In Devon, the establishment of the
Devon Maritime Forum has enabled an independant, unbiased group to form with the emphasis to address marine concerns and issues via facilitating communication between a wide steering group of stakeholders. The forum holds bi-annual meetings and split into smaller working groups with relevent issues throughout the year, then report back and inform all. There has been much work directed towards rasing funds, a website and newsletters. There aims is to provide a series of core services from funding scientific research and collecting data to education and awareness.
"The Forum provides a suite of core services that will help to
deliver the integration of coastal management practices in Devon, responding to
the needs and aspirations of different sectors. A key service includes
acting as a one-stop-shop for people with an interest in the coast and seas of
Devon, providing a point of contact and access to a wide range of information on
a range of issues; from education and recreation to recent legislation and
scientific research.
It could be said there needs to be a radical development of forum set-up, to grasp the
attention of stakeholders and to instigate the necessary change rather than just discuss the relevent concerns and issues. Rather than another 'sit at a big round table and be directed by a chairman' annual meeting, maybe the meeting could be more interactive (i.e. art to convay a problem). In the first instance, looking at the example of nutrient loading from run-off, a short film could be conducted in the style of a questionaire, asking questions to establish the real issues. Is it a case of poor education or poor management?A series of working groups could be set up in the community to intregate the farming community, giving the power to the people, so they feel liberated through choice and seeing change via their decisons.
With the imminant introduction of the
Marine Bill, it will aim to modernise, streamline and centralise the planning, licensing and enforcement of UK legislation for the marine environment. There will be wider, more thorough use of
Environmental Impact Assessments and
Environmental Policy Statements. These will act to assess the situation and deal with the problem by a set of guiding principles and delivery strategies. It will encompase all activities having and effect on the coastal zone and marine environment.
Future Aspirations
After finishing my degree at Plymouth University, I plan to gain as much relevent experience as possible around the globe through voluntering, internships and employment. Eventually, combining the fields of Environmental Management and Marine Biology and significantly contributing to the protection and progress of the marine environment.
Before I took the challenge and follow the right choice, my career aspirations were nothing but dreams, what ifs and maybe one days. The reality of the prospects really consisted of living on a beach and helping the world, i'll do a bit of volunteering, i'll set up my own surf school, i'll make driftwood mirrors, all vey valued and amazing things to do, but I had not addressed the passion, the longing to work in the marine conservation and management sector. To actually take part in the monitoring of earth and beable to make a significant contribution and support a growing family. Through this degree I have began the stepping stone process and feel much closer to my goals.
Relevent Careers
Sustainable Fisheries Campaign Manager - Vancouver
Coral Reef Management Specialist - Puerto Rico
Arawai Kakariki Wetland Restoration Programme. Wetland Scientist - Christchurch, N.Z.
Antongil Bay Landscape. Program Coordinator- Madagascar
Assistant Conservation Manager - Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Due to the demand on energy from society and industry the present available renewable energy is insufficient, by 202o, Europe aims to provide 16% of its power by wind generation. The reserection of turbines causes contention between environmenatlists and stakeholders.
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