Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy

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A decision made (21.05.08) to approve the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2008-0114
Decision Summary Title :	ICZM Strategy Lodging		Date of Decision Summary:	20th May 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Sarah Le Claire		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	-
Written Report Title :	Making the Most of Jersey’s Coast – Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy		Date of Written Report:	March 2008
Written Report Author:	Sarah Le Claire, Assistant Director – Policy and Awareness		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy
Decision(s): The Minister approved the Report and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy for lodging ‘au Greffe’ for States Debate
Reason(s) for Decision: The Jersey Island Plan 2002 Policy M2 required the then Planning and Environment Department to support the development of a Coastal Zone Management Strategy. Jersey is signatory to a number of multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs) that are of relevance to our coastal and marine area. These conventions address issues such as biodiversity, marine pollution, fishing, maritime safety and archaeology. Jersey is currently not meeting many of its obligations under the coastal and marine MEAs, and in particular under Ramsar. The adoption and implementation of this Strategy is an essential step forward in redressing this position and thereby achieving the States Strategic Plan objective 5.2.8 of meeting these obligations by 2010. In recognition of the importance of the issues raised within the ICZM Strategy the Minister has elected to lodge the Strategy for approval by the States rather than just approve it under his own powers.
Resource Implications: Implementation of this Strategy can be met by refocusing existing resources.
Action required: The Director of Environment to arrange for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy and Report to be lodged ‘au Greffe’ for a States Debate on the 15th July 2008.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy

PROPOSITION

INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -

to refer to the States Strategic Plan 2006 to 2011 in which they agreed to Objective 4.7.5 to bring forward a Coastal Zone Management Plan, and refer to Aim 1.1 Show the world that economic and environmental success can work together, indicated by Conservation and enhancement of biological diversity locally and contribution towards the conservation of global biodiversity where appropriate; and Aims 4.4 Clean air, clean water and uncontaminated land and 4.5 Jersey’s natural and built heritage is sympathetically managed and Objective 5.2.8 Over the period 2007-2010, meet, where possible, international standards set through the extension of international treaties and conventions, and -

to receive the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy entitled ‘Making the Most of Jersey’s Coast’ to secure better management and informed decision-making on coastal issues so that our vital coastal and marine resources are managed sustainably, as set out in the report of the Minister for Planning and Environment dated March 2008, and in order to give effect to the recommendations made in the Strategy -

(a) the Minister for Planning and Environment should take the necessary steps to protect and conserve coastal and marine wildlife, habitats, geodiversity and cultural heritage by taking actions including:

§ developing a marine Biodiversity Action Plan with targets for marine and coastal habitats and species;

§ identifying the potential threats to Jersey’s coastal zone posed by climate change and consider appropriate actions for safety, well-being and economic interests of coastal communities;

§ reducing inputs of nutrients and hazardous chemicals and materials from both land-based and boat-based sources to improve marine and coastal water quality;

§ introducing fishing management techniques and technical measures that are less damaging to non-target species in consultation with the local fishing industry and France, Guernsey and UK;

§ developing fully representative networks of ecological, geological and heritage marine and coastal protected areas in full consultation with all stakeholders.

(b) the Minister for Planning and Environment should increase understanding of the marine and coastal environment by:

§ drawing together a marine and coastal database to make better use of existing information;

§ developing a marine habitats classification system;

§ developing a marine and coastal atlas for Jersey to assist spatial planning.

§ investigating the possibility of setting up a marine research laboratory for use by visiting schools and universities.

(c) The Minister for Planning and Environment will promote and encourage sensitive use of natural resources to ensure long-term environmental, social and economic benefits by:

§ ensuring policies within the Island Plan Review reflect the principles of the ICZM Strategy:

§ developing Management Plans for all Ramsar sites and future protected areas in consultation with all stakeholders;

§ encouraging better returns for Jersey caught marine species by investigating the possibility of supporting the adoption of an internationally recognised certification programme, which promotes well-managed fisheries.

(d) The Minister for Planning and Environment will work with stakeholders to promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of the value of marine and coastal environments and seek involvement in adapting to change and developing new policies by:

§ ensuring that effective co-ordination arrangements are in place across the States of Jersey and other interests with a role in the coastal zone to facilitate ICZM;

§ through ECO-ACTIVE promote greater community involvement in and understanding of marine and coastal issues;

§ ensure growth in marine leisure is sustainable;

§ work with schools to generate greater understanding of the value of the marine and coastal environment;

§ develop closer links with France and the other Channel Islands to improve knowledge and sustainable use of the marine and coastal environment;

§ continue to participate in the British Irish Council (BIC) Environment Sub-Group on ICZM.

Senator Freddie Cohen

MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

BACKGROUND

The importance of our coasts and seas

In recognition of the importance of the issues raised within the ICZM Strategy the Minister has elected to lodge the Strategy for approval by the States rather than just approve it under his own powers.

The coast and seas around Jersey are an integral part of Island life. It is therefore essential that the coast is protected and managed so that it can continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

We know far more about the terrestrial parts of Jersey than we do the sea. Consequently, the system for protecting land is far more advanced. However, our coasts and seas are under increasing pressures such as calls for more reclamation, the likely advent of offshore windfarms, the impacts of climate change and an unprecedented growth in marine and coastal leisure activities. If we are to manage these pressures with any confidence, we need to redress this imbalance and improve our knowledge of the underwater world that surrounds us.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is about securing better management and informed decision-making on coastal issues so that our vital coastal and marine resources are managed sustainably. This Strategy aims to bring together all parties that develop, manage or use the coast to ensure that this is achieved.

In short we need to protect our coasts and seas, we need to know more about them, we need to use our marine and coastal environment sensitively and everyone with an interest or responsibility needs to be involved to make it happen.

Manpower and financial implications

In its current form, the Strategy does not impose any new duties on States Departments, public bodies, organisations or individuals. Instead it intends that all relevant bodies will use their existing powers better, in order to implement the actions listed in the Strategy and to which the various government departments have agreed.

A lot can be achieved by reallocating existing resources, but there are areas where Jersey has obligations under international conventions, which may require additional resources to be able to meet these responsibilities. Approaches will be made to external funding sources as appropriate.

The benefit for Jersey in the long term will be a well managed, healthy coastal and marine environment that supports a thriving economy and which is a source of pride for the community.