An Integrated Approach to Coastal Governance

Hello mates! I wish you all well!

Today’s post is something closer to my heart. Well no, I am not talking here about my love life mates! Anyway, it has something to do with the work I have been involved before in the Philippines. I felt that my blog will not be complete without talking about it. After all we are talking about IEM and I cannot think of any better example than the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). ICM has been so famous in the Philippines being an archipelagic country and has drawn various financial supports worldwide. So what exactly ICM means and how does it promote IEM in particular?

The Integrated Coastal Management (ICM)

 

The definition of ICM is as diverse as the coast itself. In order to define ICM, it is important to define what we refer to as coastal area first or what comprises the coastal areas. According to FAO, ‘coastal areas are commonly defined as the interface or transition areas between land and sea, including large inland lakes’. However, FAO added that ‘there are no exact natural boundaries that unambiguously delineate coastal areas’. For instance, in the Philippines, a coastal area sometimes covers the whole upland watershed down to the ocean.

ICM is thus defined as the means to integrate planning, developing and conserving land-based and marine resource systems so as to minimize disruption and optimize tangible and intangible benefits. This is such a huge job to undertake, don’t you think so? But how and why do we need to integrate these activities? May be an understanding of the issues surrounding the coastal environment is necessary.

The Problematic Coasts

Coastal areas or zones are among the most diverse and valuable ecosystems that we have. It comprises an estimated ‘20% of land surface and yet 50% of human population lives within 200 km of the coast’ (Belfiore, 2003:225). These ecosystems are also known for being highly productive. They yield 90% of global fisheries and produce about 25% of global biological productivity (Belfiore, 2003:226). Moreover, coastal waters also accounts for 80% of the known marine fish species and represents about 98% of the total estimated value of marine biomes (Belfiore, 2003:226) and houses most commercial and industrial activities. We can say therefore that from environmental and economic standpoints, the coastal resources are indeed one of the most important assets that we have. However, it is also due to these significant and unique features that make it very fragile and vulnerable from continuous exposure to threats and impact of human actions and development.

Among the issues surrounding the coastal areas in the Philippines include:

·         Resource use conflicts where various stakeholders compete for its abundant resources

·         High concentration of population coupled with poverty and unemployment

·         Pollution from household, industries and various establishments.

·         Degraded  ecosystems to included mangrove deforestation, loss of sea grass beds and damaged corals

·         Overexploitation/Overfishing

·         Rampant illegal practices/weak coastal law enforcement

·         Lack of legal framework (national and local)

·         Fragmented management system (sectoral management)

·         Lack of infrastructure projects to support coastal dwellers

The problem with coastal areas therefore can be classified as environmental, economic, social and legal or jurisdictional. These are the very thing that IEM tries to integrate, isn’t it? Moreover, in applying the criteria of integration that we have learned, we can say that currently coastal management in the Philippines is rather fragmented than integrated. For instance, with regards to comprehensiveness, we can see that management is all over the place. Coastal management is not considered holistically. Interconnectiveness on the other hand is being considered in terms of managing coastal ecosystems but sadly no detailed or clear directions has been set to achieve the purpose. Coordination and interaction among various government agencies seems to be a problem as well. There were overlapping functions among these agencies with regards to managing these resources.  So how can IEM potentially promote integrated management of our coasts? Or shall we ask how IEM possibly address the issues in coastal management.

Achieving integration for coastal management

In addressing issues in coastal management, it is also important to consider the goal of ICM which is to achieve sustainability. There should be an optimal balance between environmental protection and the development of economic and social sector. As an integrated approach, coastal management shall try to promote the functional integrity of the coastal resource systems, reduce resource-use conflicts, maintain a healthy environment and facilitate the progress of multisectoral development. In other words, for an integrated coastal management to success, it must take into account economic development to improve the quality of life of people relying on these resources, enhance development with lesser environmental impacts, and promote equitable development. Failure to include these aspects and goals would lead to a form of unsustainable management.

So where do we start with the integration? First, it has to be recognize that several sectors were crowding within the coastal environment. Hence, integration among these sectors is but necessary. With a huge number of sectors such as tourism, fisheries, navigation etc. operating within the coastal areas, it is quite impossible to integrate them. However, pursuance of a common goal can come into play among these sectors such as achieving sustainability and environmental protection. Cooperation among these sectors will enhance coastal management in achieving integration.

Second, there is a need to consider the coastal environment as a whole or a more comprehensive treatment of its physicality. Various relationships among ecosystems from upland and sea are interlinked and interdependent on each other. Hence, integration between land and water elements is deemed necessary. But how can we do this? Since there is a vague definition of the coastal areas, will not this create more difficulties? Well, it is suggested that a clear scope or boundary of management should be established. This integration must not be overlooked as it is important to link changes on one system and its inevitable impacts to another.

 

Third, there must be a significant horizontal and vertical integration among government departments and agencies to include various stakeholders. This thus avoids overlapping of functions. Instead, it draws a clear pathway and objectives in achieving integration at local, regional and national levels. It increases efficiency of actions and avoid confusion in implementation.

Lastly, an integrated coastal management shall accept knowledge from all disciplines. It shall take into account scientific, cultural, traditional, political and local expertise. The integration of all disciplines will make the management approach more holistic.

Promoting ICM in the Philippines is not an easy tasked. There were a lot of these projects that have been implemented. Some have become successful but not for long. And I wonder why? Well, it has been a fact that most of ICM-related projects in the Philippines are funded either through foreign-assistance or financial support. These are time-bounded, for example three or five years of implementation. After the life of the project, recipient local government or group finds it very difficult to sustain such program. Hence, previously resolved issues or problems started to resurrect. Are we hopeless? How can we sustain the accomplishment of these projects? The challenge that I see falls within the political system of the Philippines. Someone have to stand to carry on these important tasks that need funds, resources, legal backbone, public education and awareness and above all a leader. Lest the politics in the country considered ICM, then all efforts will just be gone to waste.

There you go mates. What can you say? Do you know anything else that can help us promote an effective ICM program for our coastal environment? Please send your comments. Thank you very much!

References

Belfiore, Stefano (2003). The Growth of Integrated Coastal Management and the Role of Indicators in Integrated Coastal Management: Introduction to the Special Issue. Editorial. Ocean and Coastal Management 46:225-234

Food and Agriculture Office. http://www.fao.org/docrep/w8440e/w8440e02.htm