ABSTRACT
The chapter deals with some concepts of horizontal and vertical linkages and moves on to a consideration of some characteristics of the coastal zone, followed by examples of applications. Coastal zone management is both an art and a science, involving learning, user-group participation/deliberation and trade-offs. Integrated coastal zone management is one of the four priority areas recognized by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment for integrated responses to improve the condition of ecosystems and human well-being. Integrated coastal zone management deals with these problems and seeks to address multiple drivers of social-ecological system change originating from processes at various levels. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) created eight regional fishery management councils responsible for the fisheries that require conservation and management in their region. Citizen science is a way of collecting large volumes of data cheaply; at the same time, it serves science education and fosters stewardship by connecting people to their ecosystems.
