CHAPTER 2 • The Challenge of Demonstrating the Socio-economic Benefits of ICM
37
alternative uses. This does not mean that all coastal systems must be left in an undeveloped state free from human disturbance. In some cases there will be no alternative
but the conversion of natural coastal systems to some alternative purpose.
Many economists would argue that market mechanisms are efficient in allocating
scare resources to the highest and best use. However, where coastal systems generate a
wide variety of economic and environmental goods and services, we should be looking for the optimal mix of uses that generates the greatest aggregate economic benefit
to society - not the maximum financial gain to one form of activity. Arguably, we can
only begin to optimize the use of increasingly scarce coastal resources if we develop
multiple-use based approaches to the allocation and use of coastal systems that are
balanced with the ability of those systems to sustain the desired mix and intensity of
uses. This must incorporate a basic understanding of the mutual dependence of coastal
ecosystems and the consequences of treating individual ecosystems in isolation.
This provides a strong case for the development of techniques to promote beneficial
multiple-use strategies such as integration of activities and coordination of policies
and investment strategies. Once the concept of multiple use has helped achieve improvements in national thinking concerning the broad management objectives for coastal
resource systems, we will be in a better position to develop regional and local investment strategies and strategies for investment in infrastructure, and resource allocation objectives for land and water use. For a more full explanation of the multiple use
management approach to coastal ecosystems and how it could be applied to fisheries
see "Planning Processes for Integrated Coastal Zone Management" by P. R. Burbridge,
Proceedings of the ICES Science Meetings, St. Johns Newfoundland September 1994.
There is no good reason why we cannot apply the concept of multiple-use to the management of coastal areas and renewable coastal resources. However, the coastal zones
of the world are ecologically, economically and socially far more complex than most
watersheds. Investment is therefore needed strengthen human resources and institutional arrangements to allow multiple-use management concepts, principles and techniques to be integrated into the thinking and actions of the myriad of agencies and
resources uses with interests in promoting wise and sustainable coastal development.
No matter what scale of coastal management initiative is proposed there will be financial costs and adjus,tments to the authority, power and responsibilities of different
interest groups. Unless these interest groups see that such adjustments will be to their
advant~ge or at least will not disadvantage them, there will be little prospect of developing any cooperation, coordination or integration of policies, plans or management
strategies required to achieve more sustainable and equitable development. This paper explores some of the dimensions of this challenge and presents a case for giving
greater attention to the multiple use management of coastal ecosystems as a primary
means of optimising the economic and social benefits that can be derived from integrated coastal management.
2.2
The Coastal Development Context
The management of human activities in coastal zones is one of the most complex and
challenging tasks faced by man. Experience to date has demonstrated that it is very
difficult to achieve rapid advances in promoting th,e sustainable use of coastal resources
37
alternative uses. This does not mean that all coastal systems must be left in an undeveloped state free from human disturbance. In some cases there will be no alternative
but the conversion of natural coastal systems to some alternative purpose.
Many economists would argue that market mechanisms are efficient in allocating
scare resources to the highest and best use. However, where coastal systems generate a
wide variety of economic and environmental goods and services, we should be looking for the optimal mix of uses that generates the greatest aggregate economic benefit
to society - not the maximum financial gain to one form of activity. Arguably, we can
only begin to optimize the use of increasingly scarce coastal resources if we develop
multiple-use based approaches to the allocation and use of coastal systems that are
balanced with the ability of those systems to sustain the desired mix and intensity of
uses. This must incorporate a basic understanding of the mutual dependence of coastal
ecosystems and the consequences of treating individual ecosystems in isolation.
This provides a strong case for the development of techniques to promote beneficial
multiple-use strategies such as integration of activities and coordination of policies
and investment strategies. Once the concept of multiple use has helped achieve improvements in national thinking concerning the broad management objectives for coastal
resource systems, we will be in a better position to develop regional and local investment strategies and strategies for investment in infrastructure, and resource allocation objectives for land and water use. For a more full explanation of the multiple use
management approach to coastal ecosystems and how it could be applied to fisheries
see "Planning Processes for Integrated Coastal Zone Management" by P. R. Burbridge,
Proceedings of the ICES Science Meetings, St. Johns Newfoundland September 1994.
There is no good reason why we cannot apply the concept of multiple-use to the management of coastal areas and renewable coastal resources. However, the coastal zones
of the world are ecologically, economically and socially far more complex than most
watersheds. Investment is therefore needed strengthen human resources and institutional arrangements to allow multiple-use management concepts, principles and techniques to be integrated into the thinking and actions of the myriad of agencies and
resources uses with interests in promoting wise and sustainable coastal development.
No matter what scale of coastal management initiative is proposed there will be financial costs and adjus,tments to the authority, power and responsibilities of different
interest groups. Unless these interest groups see that such adjustments will be to their
advant~ge or at least will not disadvantage them, there will be little prospect of developing any cooperation, coordination or integration of policies, plans or management
strategies required to achieve more sustainable and equitable development. This paper explores some of the dimensions of this challenge and presents a case for giving
greater attention to the multiple use management of coastal ecosystems as a primary
means of optimising the economic and social benefits that can be derived from integrated coastal management.
2.2
The Coastal Development Context
The management of human activities in coastal zones is one of the most complex and
challenging tasks faced by man. Experience to date has demonstrated that it is very
difficult to achieve rapid advances in promoting th,e sustainable use of coastal resources