Coastal and Marine Zone Management in Spain

Abstract

The coastal zones of Spain are considered areas of special relevance for the population and its economy. This is due to the fact that the urban population settles and develops economic activities increasingly on the coastal zone. In 2015, almost half the population of the country lived in urban centres of these areas. However, the model of settlement and development of economic activities in coastal areas does not follow patterns towards the sustainability of the coast and the sea. As a consequence, coastal and marine ecosystems are increasingly threatened and degraded, placing services they offer to the population in particular danger. Thus, this research aims to analyse the reality of coastal and marine management in Spain in the last decade (2008-2018 period). In this regard, the manuscript highlights those initiatives that promote the sustainability of the coasts and the sea, as well as those issues that should be addressed to contribute to the human well-being of coastal societies. The methodology used in the research is focused on the analysis of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Decalogue, in which ten elements related to public management of coastal and marine areas are analysed: Policy, Regulations, Competencies, Institutions, Strategies, Instruments, Training, Economic resources, Information and knowledge, and Participation. Therefore, the results obtained present detailed and updated information on each element of the Decalogue, with the contribution of data on the reality of management in the coastal area of Spain. Finally, the case of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia is studied, with the aim of emphasizing peculiarities of coastal management that some regions of the country have.