ICM General Interest
This individually - initiated coastal management web provides extensive links to global coastal management web sites. Links are grouped by organization (governments, international organizations, universities, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations); subject (sustainable development, climate change, conservation, coral reefs, natural hazards, mangroves, fisheries, industry, international conventions, marine, meteorology, oceanography, and sports and recreation); and, information (bibliographies, conferences, databases, electronic newsletters, and newsgroups).
2. COASTAL RESOURCES CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
The Coastal Resources Center (CRC) addresses issues both domestically and internationally caused by overdevelopment and misdevelopment of coastal ecosystems. Such issues include destruction of critical habitats such as mangroves and marshes, coral reefs and lagoons, the overfishing of fish and shellfish, the degradation of water quality, the loss of aesthetic quality important to residents and tourists, loss of access to commonly held resources, and escalating conflicts among user groups. CRC participates primarily in: 1) field programs, including pilot projects and technical assistance to other regions; 2) research and evaluation to improve understanding of specific resource management issues and to analyze efforts to address these issues; 3) sharing experience and encouraging communication among coastal management practitioners through publications, networks, and newsletters; and, 4) building the capacity of individuals and institutions involved in coastal management. This site provides information about the CRC and its programs.
3. INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR COASTAL AND OCEAN POLICY STUDIES
The International Center for Coastal and Ocean Policy Studies (ICCOPS) is an international association founded in Genoa, Italy in 1992. Its goals are: 1) serving as a point of reference for groups and experts in coastal- and ocean-related studies; 2) carrying out research projects into all aspects of integrated coastal management; 3) furthering international networking with similar institutions; and 4) promoting meetings to discuss current practices and future trends in sea-use management. Information about ICCOPS and its various projects is provided at this site. Of particular interest to university students and young researchers is the Ocean 21 association. This association was established in 1994 within ICCOPS to promote the engagement of young people in disseminating the principle of sustainable development and UNCED's Agenda 21; to increase public awareness of coastal area management issues; and, to act as a link between the scientific and academic community and university students.
The WorldFish Center, formerly the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), is an international scientific research organization. Its mission is to reduce poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. Most of its work is undertaken in developing countries.
5. OFFICE OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (OCRM) - NOAA
OCRM's mission is to make sound decisions, with partners, that ensure diverse, healthy coastal and ocean resources and resolve conflicts among users. OCRM meets this challenge by providing: marine and coastal protected area management; technical assistance and financial support; scientific research and environmental monitoring; national coastal and ocean policy leadership; outreach and education; coastal and marine conflict resolution assistance; coordination and delivery of NOAA products and services to resource managers; and volunteer coordination and involvement. OCRM administers the National Coastal Zone Management Program, National Estuarine Research Reserve System, and the National Marine Sanctuary Program. Information about each of these programs is available at this site. Links to the National Ocean Service Year of the Ocean site, the NOAA Year of the Ocean site, the UN Year of the Ocean site, and NOAA's "State of the Coast Report" are also provided.
6. NETCOAST: A GUIDE TO INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT
The primary objective of NetCoast is to facilitate communication on a global scale between institutions (ministries, coastal authorities, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, funding agencies, etc.) and individuals (policy makers, managers, scientists, and engineers) involved in coastal zone issues, with a view to achieving the goal that by the year 2000, all vulnerable coastal states will have implemented comprehensive coastal zone programs. Among other things, this site allows visitors to search the NetCoast site and send an announcement or request to participants. The site also provides links to institutes involved in coastal management, a coastal zone management tutorial, and a coastal zone management glossary.
OceansCanada is a comprehensive web site linking people and the world, to everything about oceans. It was designed to provide Canadians with a broad overview of oceans issues, activities and programs, from the federal government and beyond.
8. INDEPENDENT WORLD COMMISSION ON THE OCEANS