CHAPTER 2 • The Challenge of Demonstrating the Socio-economic Benefits of ICM
41
3. Inter and intra-sectoral conflicts arise which detract from the effectiveness of development initiatives and investment, and
4. It is difficult to persuade sectoral agencies that multiple-use concepts are a logical
alternative for fulfilling competing development objectives.
In effect, the sectoral~agencies believe they are acting in the best interests of a nation and give priority to the efficient pursuit of their development remits at the cost of
other activities.
2.3.2
The Need for Improved Information to Demonstrate the Benefits
of Integrated Coastal Management
In both developed and developing nations there is growing awareness of the problems
associated with sectoral approaches to the management of coastal environments held
in the public domain. However, breaking away from sectoral control has proven difficult and attempts to establish special agencies at the national level and working parties at the international level have not overcome practical management problems. For
example, the State Ministry of Environment in Indonesia has been charged with the
responsibility of promoting sustainable development and reducing intersectoral conflict which can create environmental damage. In practice, the work of the ministry is
hampered by the shortage of skilled staff with knowledge and experience in integrated
resource management, lack of information on the functions and use of environmental
systems, and resistance from powerful sectoral ministries who do not wish to have their
activities subject to review by another agency.
Similar problems are experienced at the international scale. For example, the Association of East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established to help resolve problems of common
interest to the member states (Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and
Thailand). Cooperation among these nations provides opportunities to share scientific
information, formulate management strategies to resolve issues such as the exploitation of
shared stocks of marine fish and to establish treaties to enforce controls over marine pollution, etc. However, the resolution of problems is often hampered by different priorities
being attached to common issues, such as marine pollution from land based activities, and
the adoption of different standards to assessing their significance (Burbridge and Maragos
1985). This is also the case in Europe; where, for instance in the case of the Wadden Sea, unified agreement has not yet been reached in relation to conservation policies (WWF 1991).
The primary challenge we face is developing the political will to improve the process of planning for and managing coastal ecosystems and the use of their renewable
resources. Developing political will will require improved communication between
scientists and policy makers concerning the ecological, economic and social significance of coastal resources. Improving the process will require
• an improvement in our scientific understanding of the functions performed by different coastal ecosystems and the resources they generate,
• developing the awareness of decision makers, planners and managers from different sectoral agencies that they have a common interest in promoting the conservation of coastal ecosystems,
41
3. Inter and intra-sectoral conflicts arise which detract from the effectiveness of development initiatives and investment, and
4. It is difficult to persuade sectoral agencies that multiple-use concepts are a logical
alternative for fulfilling competing development objectives.
In effect, the sectoral~agencies believe they are acting in the best interests of a nation and give priority to the efficient pursuit of their development remits at the cost of
other activities.
2.3.2
The Need for Improved Information to Demonstrate the Benefits
of Integrated Coastal Management
In both developed and developing nations there is growing awareness of the problems
associated with sectoral approaches to the management of coastal environments held
in the public domain. However, breaking away from sectoral control has proven difficult and attempts to establish special agencies at the national level and working parties at the international level have not overcome practical management problems. For
example, the State Ministry of Environment in Indonesia has been charged with the
responsibility of promoting sustainable development and reducing intersectoral conflict which can create environmental damage. In practice, the work of the ministry is
hampered by the shortage of skilled staff with knowledge and experience in integrated
resource management, lack of information on the functions and use of environmental
systems, and resistance from powerful sectoral ministries who do not wish to have their
activities subject to review by another agency.
Similar problems are experienced at the international scale. For example, the Association of East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established to help resolve problems of common
interest to the member states (Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and
Thailand). Cooperation among these nations provides opportunities to share scientific
information, formulate management strategies to resolve issues such as the exploitation of
shared stocks of marine fish and to establish treaties to enforce controls over marine pollution, etc. However, the resolution of problems is often hampered by different priorities
being attached to common issues, such as marine pollution from land based activities, and
the adoption of different standards to assessing their significance (Burbridge and Maragos
1985). This is also the case in Europe; where, for instance in the case of the Wadden Sea, unified agreement has not yet been reached in relation to conservation policies (WWF 1991).
The primary challenge we face is developing the political will to improve the process of planning for and managing coastal ecosystems and the use of their renewable
resources. Developing political will will require improved communication between
scientists and policy makers concerning the ecological, economic and social significance of coastal resources. Improving the process will require
• an improvement in our scientific understanding of the functions performed by different coastal ecosystems and the resources they generate,
• developing the awareness of decision makers, planners and managers from different sectoral agencies that they have a common interest in promoting the conservation of coastal ecosystems,