Overview

This module covers conservational, legal and socio-economical aspects associated with managing the marine environment. The module is organised into three themes. (1) Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). In this component, Prof Turner will present an overview of the history, need, framework, methodology, current and future practice of coastal zone management. He will emphasise the need for an integrated approach to maintain essential ecological processes, to preserve biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Lectures will cover Strategic Planning, Policy formulation, Issues Analysis and Preparation of the Management Plan: Coastal area management and development - introduction to economic and ecological principles; Biodiversity and genetic conservation; Concepts of integrated coastal management; The extent, level and institutional organisation of local, regional, and international management; Management techniques and tools - legislation, public participation, acquisition and jurisdiction, zoning, education, data banks; Resource assessment case studies - data collection, synthesis and action planning; Establishment of marine protected areas - mark parks and marine nature reserves; Case studies of Chagos, Cayman, Rodrigues, Socotra and UK. Prof LeVay’s lectures follow from that and particularly explore maricultural topics: Review of current methods of coastal aquaculture with emphasis on requirements and demands on water quality and usage; Conversion of wetlands for ponds, versus conservation; Development of environmentally sensitive aquaculture. Lectures include case Studies from Vietnam, the Philippines and Europe.

The ICZM theme culiminates in a mini-conference, where students present analytical case studies of ICZM from around the world (e.g. Impact of sea level rise on Venice). Module marks arise from these individual-student presentations.

(2) Socio-economics. In a series of lectures and workshops, Dr Skov and colleagues explore the needs for and approaches to socio-economic evaluations for marine management. Skov introduces the ethos and rationale of socioeconomic analysis with examples drawn from recreational fisheries, collection of wild marine foods and tourism. The subject of contingent valuation of biodiversity is explored through teaching students how to conduct a socio-economic questionnaire-based surveys.

The socio-economic theme culminates in a student-led questionnaire-based survey: students work in groups to design a survey to value biodiversity and then carry it out on the Bangor student population. The components closes with group presentations of their survey, its methods, results and conclusions. Module marks arise from these group presentations.

(3) Coastal Zone Law. In this theme, Lynda Warren, a visiting Emeritus Professor from Aberystwyth University, explores the inter-related framework of public and private law governing the administration and use of coastal land and water. The legal problems involved in regulating the increasing pressures on the marine environment are examined through an analysis of: Definition of coastal zone; Sources of coastal zone law; The administrative structures; Property on the coastal zone - foreshore and sea bed ownership; Public and private rights; Jurisdiction in the coastal zone; Planning, coast protection and sea defence; Public health, pollution, fisheries, minerals, harbours, pilotage, customs, port health, defence and conservation; Law as a problem for coastal zone management and coastal zone management as a problem for law.

The module opens with an overview of the history, need, framework, methodology, current and future practice of coastal zone management. He will emphasise the need for an integrated approach to maintain essential ecological processes, to preserve biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Lectures will cover Strategic Planning, Policy formulation, Issues Analysis and Preparation of the Management Plan: Coastal area management and development - introduction to economic and ecological principles; Biodiversity and genetic conservation; Concepts of integrated coastal management; The extent, level and institutional organisation of local, regional, and international management; Management techniques and tools - legislation, public participation, acquisition and jurisdiction, zoning, education, data banks; Resource assessment case studies - data collection, synthesis and action planning; Establishment of marine protected areas - mark parks and marine nature reserves; Case studies of Chagos, Cayman, Rodrigues, Socotra and UK. Following this section, the module will move on to discuss current methods of coastal aquaculture with emphasis on requirements and demands on water quality and usage; Conversion of wetlands for ponds, versus conservation; Case Studies in Vietnam, Philippines; Development of environmentally sensitive aquaculture. There will be a student conference analysing case studies in ICZM from around the world (e.g. presentation: Venice and the impact of sea level rise). The third section of the module introduces the rationale and theory of socioeconomic analysis, the importance of biodiversity to marine ecosystem functioning, and approaches to contingent valuation through use of questionnaire-based surveys. The lectures and workshop-style sessions use examples drawn from recreational fisheries, collection of wild marine foods and tourism. Data acquisition through questionnaires and their design is critically developed and evaluated. Finally, the module explores the inter-related framework of public and private law governing the administration and use of coastal land and water. The legal problems involved in regulating the increasing pressures on the marine environment are examined through an analysis of: Definition of coastal zone; Sources of coastal zone law; The administrative structures; Property on the coastal zone - foreshore and sea bed ownership; Public and private rights; Jurisdiction in the coastal zone; Planning, coast protection and sea defence; Public health, pollution, fisheries, minerals, harbours, pilotage, customs, port health, defence and conservation; Law as a problem for coastal zone management and coastal zone management as a problem for law.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold - (C grade / Pass) - Basic oral report with acceptable layout and presentation but missing detail. Survey design acceptable but not the most appropriate and implemented to produce the bare minimum of acceptable results. Discussion of results minimal with limited insight into the ecology of the habitat surveyed or the challenges of questionnaire based surveying.

Good - (B grade / Merit) - Oral report with generally good layout and presentation. Survey design well suited to the habitat or human population and well implemented with attention to detail and effective work in the field. Methodology described well in a concise scientific fashion with important relevant details. Results described clearly with good tabulated and graphical presentation of data and appropriate statistics. Pertinent discussion of findings, including giving insight into the habitat surveyed or the challenges associated with questionnaire based surveying, all with use of appropriate references. Good appreciation of the pros and cons of techniques utilised.

Excellent - (A-grade / Distinction) - Outstanding oral or written reporting of a well designed thoroughly implemented survey or study. Presentations having a concise introduction covering study rationale, all relevant aspects of the study, and clear aims and questions addressed. Materials and methods fully and succinctly described, data well presented in tabular and/or graphical format, data fully analysed using the correct analytical methods for all data sets. Discussion focused, critical and concise, covering all aspects of the study, and fully referenced. Design and layout of presentation exceptional.

Learning Outcomes

• appreciate the application of legislation in Coastal Zone Management

• exemplify success and failure in coastal zone management around the world

• know the reasons why ICZM may fail

• understand biodiversity, conservation and sustainable development

• understand the concept of marine ecological critical areas and the value of natural ecosystems

• understand the need for integrated coastal zone management

• understand the purpose of and how to construct a socio-economic questionnaire