Depending on context, background and national tradition, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is also called Integrated Coastal Management, Coastal Zone Management or simply Coastal Management.
Several terms are used for concepts and approaches that share similar objectives with ICZM, like Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM), Integrated Coastal Resources Management, Coastal Area Planning or Sustainable Coastal Zone Development.
“Because the well-being of populations and the economic viability of many businesses in coastal zones depend on the environmental status of these areas, it is essential to make use of long term management tools, such as integrated coastal management, to enhance the protection of coastal resources whilst increasing the efficiency of their uses. A sectoral approach, leads to disconnected decisions that risk undermining each other, to inefficient use of resources and missed opportunities for more sustainable coastal development.
Integrated coastal management aims for the coordinated application of the different policies affecting the coastal zone and related to activities such as nature protection, aquaculture, fisheries, agriculture, industry, off shore wind energy, shipping, tourism, development of infrastructure and mitigation and adaptation to climate change.” (1)
Definition: “Integrated Coastal Zone Management” is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and iterative process to promote sustainable management of coastal zones. It covers the full cycle of information collection, planning (in its broadest sense), decision making, management and monitoring of implementation. ICZM uses the informed participation and co-operation of all stakeholders to assess the societal goals in a given coastal area, and to take actions towards meeting these objectives. ICZM seeks, over the long-term, to balance environmental, economic, social, cultural and recreational objectives, all within the limits set by natural dynamics.
"Integrated" in ICZM refers to the integration of different objectives and also to the integration of several instruments that are needed to meet these objectives. It means the integration of all relevant policy areas, sectors, and levels of administration. It means the integration of terrestrial and marine components of the target territory, in both time and space (2).
ICZM combines a horizontal (across disciplines), vertical (across hierarchies), spatial and temporal integration. An approach where stakeholders are actively involved in the process is called participatory.
Definition: an “ecosystem based approach” describes an approach that respects the limits of natural resources and ecosystems, balancing ecological, economic, and social goals and objectives toward sustainable development