ABSTRACT
Development of specific coastal planning and management initiatives is a common response by government to the many issues discussed in the previous chapter. These issues will only be effectively resolved if managers are guided in their decision making and can plan to avoid future problems by taking a proactive approach. This chapter provides a conceptual framework for decision making and a common understanding of terms and definitions. Tools for tackling individual problems are discussed in Chapter 4 and coastal planning approaches are analysed in Chapter 5.
