Coastal Area: Recommended Resources

COASTAL AREA
1.
Coastal ecosystems are areas where land and water join to create an environment with a distinct
structure, diversity, and flow of energy. They include salt marshes, mangroves, wetlands, estuaries,
and bays and are home to many different types of plants and animals. However, coastal ecosystems
are also very sensitive to changes in the environment, and there is concern that some areas are now
struggling to maintain their diversity due to human activity, the introduction of non-native species,
and other factors.
Natural phenomenon, including hurricanes and El Ni°o, have been responsible for a significant
amount of damage to coastal ecosystems, displacing marine and other wildlife, depleting food
supplies, and disrupting the ecosystem’s balance. Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, and Rita destroyed
many acres of wetlands in the coastal regions surrounding Florida and the Gulf of Mexio ; it is not yet
clear what the long term effects of this destruction will be.
However, the most significant issue facing coastal areas is runoff from industrial, agricultural, and
municipal areas, sometimes stemming far from the coastal area. The runoff can result in higher
nutrient and/or pollutant levels in coastal waters, fueling algae blooms that can be dangerous to
both humans and marine life. This can be particularly concerning since coastal areas are often
important fisheries. In addition to potential contamination of coastal and ocean waters, destructive
fishing practices and overfishing also threaten both coastal fish populations and their habitats.
While farm-raised fish can reduce pressure on some native stocks, effluent from fish farms can
contaminate the surrounding water and, if any farm fish escape, can compete with native fish and
become an invasive species. Invasive species can also be introduced by many of the marine vessels
that release their bilge water within coastal waters, including cruise ships. While many governments
have regulations governing their own territorial waters, international treaties that attempt to govern
activities, including the dumping of wastes, overexploitation of fisheries, and hunting of marine
creatures such as whales, are often difficult to enforce.
Recommended Resources
Coastal America
Coastal America is a partnership of federal agencies, the military, various corporations, and marine
education centers across the U.S. in an effort to educate and involve the public in protecting the
nation’s coastal and ocean ecosystems.
Laws & Treaties
Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act
This 1977 Act and its amendments provide for a continuing appraisal of U.S. soil, water and related
resources, including fish and wildlife habitats, and a soil and water conservation program to assist
landowners and land users in furthering soil and water conservation.
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
This 1972 Act and its amendments set regulations for the dumping of waste into oceans and coastal
waterways that can degrade or endanger human health, welfare, or the marine environment. It also
authorizes the declaration of certain areas of distinctive natural and cultural resources as National
Marine Sanctuaries.
Coastal Zone Management Act
This 1972 Act, and its many amendments, established an extensive federal grant program within the
Department of Commerce to encourage coastal states to develop and implement coastal zone
management programs. Activities that affect coastal zones must be consistent with approved state
programs. The Act also established a national estuarine reserve system.
2.
COASTAL ZONE
Characteristics of Coastal Zone
Coastal zone plays an important part of peoples� life. As a comparison, coastal zone
represents 10% of the total earth surface but inhibited by 50% of the population. In South
East Asia, 70% of the population lives in coastal area. In Malaysia, many earlier
establishments lay spread in the coastal zone area. Examples include Kuala Lumpur, Port
Klang, Malacca, Johor Baru and Penang. Now, all of major towns in Malaysia, and all the 14
state capitals, lies in the coastal zone area.
Benefits of Coastal Zone
A lot of benefits can be derived from coastal zone. They serve as a purpose of transport,
food supply, livelihood, energy, medicine, as well as recreation. Among the activity that
vastly dominates the coastal zone includes industry, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture,
poultry rearing, urban development, residential, port and shipping, and mining.
Among economic benefits and resources that is vastly available at the coastal zone includes
fish, agriculture and poultry for food, mangrove for construction or fuel, mining for raw
material supply and industry. Its nature pristine condition is generating tourism industry.
Naturally, coastal zone also serve as beach natural protection and spawning area for crabs,
shrimps and fish.

Issues in Coastal Zone
Due to its tremendous benefits and resources despite its limited space and reserves,
coastal zone is subjected to various threats. Among others are overexploitation or
unsustainable use of resources, habitat conversion, siltation and land-based and sea-based
pollution. Uncontrolled habitat conversion lessens the natural area and thus, creating
imbalance of ecosystem in the area which always lead to species extinction. Pollution
comes from various sources in industry, agriculture, poultry rearing and aquaculture. This
usually arises from population stress which creating a cheap bulk demands for various
goods and services as well as contend for space.

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COASTAL AREA

Laws & Treaties

Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act

Coastal Zone Management Act

Characteristics of Coastal Zone

Benefits of Coastal Zone

Issues in Coastal Zone

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