The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Policy Framework establishes a comprehensive governance framework for the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources. Its primary objectives are to promote coordinated and accountable institutional management of the coastal zone; ensure that coastal development is environmentally, socially, and culturally sustainable; reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change; conserve and restore coastal and marine ecosystems; strengthen pollution control and waste management; support sustainable livelihoods; enhance research, monitoring, public participation, and capacity-building; and ensure compliance with international and regional coastal management obligations. The overarching goal is to balance environmental protection with sustainable economic development through integrated and inclusive decision-making. To achieve these objectives, the policy adopts a range of governance and planning strategies. These include reviewing and strengthening legislative and institutional arrangements, clarifying the mandates of agencies involved in coastal management, streamlining approval processes, improving enforcement and compliance mechanisms, and ensuring sufficient financial and technical resources. The policy further promotes sustainable land-use planning through coastal setback requirements, controls on inappropriate development, protection of cultural and natural heritage, public access to shorelines, and the introduction of marine spatial planning. It also emphasizes climate resilience through coastal vulnerability assessments, risk-informed development planning, protection of natural coastal buffers, and the implementation of coastal protection measures. The policy also advances environmental sustainability and socio-economic resilience through strategies aimed at protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable fisheries and agriculture, restoring degraded ecosystems, expanding and effectively managing protected areas, and reducing land-based and marine pollution. Additional measures include comprehensive environmental monitoring, improved waste management systems, support for sustainable coastal livelihoods, strengthened research and data-sharing initiatives, public awareness and stakeholder engagement programmes, and enhanced regional and international cooperation. Collectively, these strategies seek to ensure the long-term health, productivity, and resilience of Trinidad and Tobago’s coastal and marine environment while supporting national development objectives.
Trinidad and Tobago · 2023-08-01