Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy

STATES OF JERSEY

INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Lodged au Greffe on 23rd May 2008

by the Minister for Planning and Environment

STATES GREFFE

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to r ef er to their Act dated 26th June 2006 in which they approved the States Strategic Plan 2006 to 2011

and approved, inter alia, Objective 4.7.5"To bring forward for consultation and debate in 2006 a Coastal Zone Management Plan"; Commitment 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"; Commitment 4.4"Clean air, clean water and uncontaminated land"; Commitment 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 re c e i v e t h e 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 Jersey's 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 ) t o r e quest the Minister for Planning and Environment to take the necessary steps to protect

and conserve coastal and marine wildlife, habitats, geodiversity and cultural heritage by taking actions including –

  (i ) d e v e l o p in g a marine Biodiversity Action Plan with targets for marine and coastal

habitats and species;

  ( ii ) id e n t if y in g 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;

  (i ii ) r e d u c in g in p uts of nutrients and hazardous chemicals and materials from both land-

based and boat-based sources to improve marine and coastal water quality;

  ( iv ) i n t ro d u c i n g 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 the United Kingdom;

  ( v ) d e v e lo p i n g fully representative networks of ecological, geological and heritage

marine and coastal protected areas in full consultation with all stakeholders;

( b ) t o request the Minister for Planning and Environment to take steps to increase

understanding of the marine and coastal environment by –

  ( i) d r a w  in g t o gether a marine and coastal database to make better use of existing

information;

(i i) d e v e l o p in g a marine habitats classification system;

(i ii ) d e v e l o p in g a marine and coastal atlas for Jersey to assist spatial planning;

  ( iv ) i n v e s ti g a ti n g the possibility of setting up a marine research laboratory for use by

visiting schools and universities;

(c ) t o r e quest the Minister for Planning and Environment to promote and encourage sensitive use of natural resources to ensure long-term environmental, social and economic benefits

by –

( i) en s uring policies within the Island Plan Review reflect the principles of the

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Strategy;

  ( ii ) d e v el o p i n g Management Plans for all Ramsar sites and future protected areas in

consultation with all stakeholders;

  ( ii i) e n c o u ra g i n g 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 ) t o r e quest the Minister for Planning and Environment to 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 –

  (i ) e n s u r in g th a t effective co-ordination arrangements are in place across the States of

Jersey and other interests with a role in the coastal zone to facilitate Integrated Coastal Zone Management;

(i i) t h ro u g h ECO-ACTIVE promote greater community involvement in, and

understanding of, marine and coastal issues;

(i ii ) e n s u r e g r o w th in marine leisure is sustainable;

  (i v ) w  o rk w i th s chools to generate greater understanding of the value of the marine and

coastal environment;

( v ) d e v e l o p c loser links with France and the other Channel Islands to improve

knowledge and sustainable use of the marine and coastal environment;

  (v i ) c o n t in u e t o participate in the British-Irish Council (BIC) Environment Sub-Group

on Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

REPORT

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 wind-farms, 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.

Financial and manpower 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.

Note:  The Strategy document accompanying this report and proposition is published separately and is available

on the States of Jersey website:

w w w  .gov.je/Environment