Pro-Coast Case Studies

Comino is a small island (2.75 km²) in the Mediterranean. Biodiversity status and values. Malta's largest biological reserve, but suffering degradation due to lack of sustainable management. ReNature Project - aims to carry out habitat restoration of specific sites of Comino Island. Challenges. Soil issues: littering, trampling and vehicle use. Gravel dragging. Invasive alien species (IAS) and non-native trees, as well as, grazing and predation from rodents and wild rabbits. Landscape disruptors: pig farm and associated pollution, unintegrated structures and constructions. Community and cultural context. The island has only 2 inhabitants. The massive arrival of tourists in summer creates a great impact on the island. It is necessary to raise awareness among visitors of the impact they can create on the island. Economic engine and primary production. Tourism and associated commercial activity (seasonal). Others: Pig farm, hotel, shipyard. Governance. Special Area of Conservation – SAC (Habitats Directive - 92/43/EEC). Special Protection Area - SPA (Birds Directive - 79/409/EEC). PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) Support social transformation for visitors: Citizen science on site, informational material, briefing prior to getting on ferry, nature walks. (2) Implementation of the RN2000 Kemmuna u lGżejjer ta’ Madwarha management plan: Introduction of sustainable agricultural practices and soil restoration.

We will study the protected area of Aquatina di Frigole in the Mediterranean. Biodiversity status and values. Iconic species Pinna nobilis, native birds and nesting Caretta caretta. Pocket beaches, lagoon basins, Posidonia oceanica meadows (sea); banquette (ashore), Mediterranean maquis, man-made lagoon drainage system. Challenges. Scarce management of lagoon-sea connection; Small-scale oil spills; Antifouling dispersions and docking. Illegal activities in the lagoon: fishing; water sports; Littering; Community and cultural context. After an initial investment in R&D infrastructure, the area was abandoned, leaving it exposed to illegal activities, and the social trust is to be recovered. Dry-walls surrounding the lagoon basins are traditional architecture heritage. Economic engine and primary production. Small-scale fishery; Recreational and educational activities (active or immersive interactions between school students, local citizens or visitors with the ecosystem). Governance. University of Salento is in charge of this Natura 2000 site. Coastline managed by municipalities following national and international regulations. Connections with recent project: Interreg (AdrIon) IMPRECO. PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) Increase awareness of local communities and summer visitors of the site’ potential due to its natural condition; (2) Increase literacy about the species of community importance through the setup of a didactic path and citizen monitoring. (3) Capitalize on previous research work via its dissemination and involvement of the local and visiting population. (4) Assess the systemic correlation between marine litter and NIS as indirect drivers; illegal activities as direct drivers, and changes in biodiversity.

This study is of a Public beach in a natural area in Adriatic Sea. Biodiversity status and values. Coastal habitats. Protected species: Cladocora caespitosa, Pinna nobilis, Ruppia cirrhosa and Zostera marina; birds,mammals and lizards. Challenges. Soil erosion, disturbance of wildlife due to tourism. Presence of litter: attracting large numbers of seagulls and increase the risk of zoonosis. Community and cultural context. Step Change H2020 Project promotes local engagement and environmental awareness: APP, involving citizen science and professional science collecting biodiversity data, and also Changes in community behaviour. Economic engine and primary production. Seasonal tourism. Governance. Krajinski Park Strunjan, Municipality of Piran. Decisions are taken between members of the Step Change consortium (the University of Primorska) and the committee of the protected areas. PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) Use of citizen data science to raise environmental awareness through Step Change APP and upgrade of functionalities. Dedicated engagement activities, such as meeting with organizations and local communities. (2) Expansion of outreach and engagement activities in the two protected areas, focused on human-wildlife interactions.

This Montenegran bay is the largest in the Adriatic. Biodiversity status and values. 21 benthic habitats in the bay. Coastal Terrigenous Muds. Particular Coralligenous aggregations. Seagrass meadows. 25 Deep holes with possible presence of Cladocora. Challenges. Land-based influence: construction in coastal zone. Cruising tourism: hydrocarbon releases; noise; sewage and grey water; garbage, etc. Uncontrolled fishing and coral harvesting. Recreational boating anchoring in seagrass meadows. Community and cultural context. Inhabited since antiquity. Pilgrimage site (Catholic and Orthodox). Economic engine and primary production. Tourism, nautical sports, cruises. Fishing: 94% subsistence. Governance. Coastline managed by municipalities following national and international regulations. Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management of Montenegro manages the use and protects the coastal zone of Montenegro that consist of narrow coastal land strip (public maritime domain) and the territorial sea. PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) Identify benefits from technological developments that reduce biodiversity ecological footprint. (2) Perform management of resources needs that can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems. (3) Digital library consisting of identified species in Boka coastal area, and related itineraries. (4) Identification and adjustment of policies for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. (5) Science-based assessments and priorities in policymaking in terms of identifying most needed conservation and management policy initiatives.

Streedagh beach is on the Atlantic Ocean. Biodiversity status and values. Coastal dunes and sandy shores and Mesic grasslands. Challenges. Sea level rise and climate extreme events. Coastal Erosion and flooding. Community and cultural context. Historic, cultural, commercial, industrial, retail and service centre of regional importance in the North West of Ireland. Economic engine and primary production. Tourism, with many visitors to the coast & mountains, as well as various areas of archaeological importance. Governance. Sligo living lab is part of SCORE H2020 project, addressing the establishment of vegetated buffer areas in dune systems as hybrid NBS, testing several coastal protection bioengineering solutions. Managed by IT Sligo and Sligo County Council. PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) Engagement of Local Coastal Community groups (2) Awareness campaign (3) Surveys of local residents/visitors to these areas with regard to their awareness of sand dune protection measures, willingness to comply, value of ecosystems.

Our study is a river estuary and coast. Biodiversity status and values. Rural area formed by grassland, heathland, woodland, river estuary and coast. Challenges. Intense farm grazing/ hedge cutting; N/P run-off; IAS; restoring heath fells trees; mineral extraction. Community and cultural context. Rural area. Local community is broadly supportive of conservation, but there is a lack of community engagement. Economic engine and primary production. Agriculture, mineral extractive industries, tourism. Governance. 60% of the land is protected.      PRO-COAST ACTIONS: Involving all the community, three potential projects are proposed: (1) plant once-common-now-rare plants as food for birds/butterflies (cultural ES); (2) create ponds for inverts/amphibia which feed birds (regulatory ES); (3) restore red squirrels from adjacent offshore islands (aid carbon sequestration).

The study area focuses on Norway's west coast in the wider region of Bergen. Biodiversity status and values. The Norwegian coast features rocky shores exposed to the North Sea, shallow bays, winding fjords, and scattered islands, offering diverse habitats for marine wildlife. Challenges. Lost fishing gear, such as crab/lobster pots, continues to fish, threatening ecosystems. Locating and removing this gear from the seabed is challenging. Community and cultural context.The sea and fjords are part of Norway’s “allemennsretten,” granting everyone free access for leisure activities like fishing, a central element of Norwegian culture. Economic engine and primary production. Fish production, including aquaculture, is significant, but the west coast of Norway supports a wide range of economic sectors due to his access to the sea and its urban hubs. Governance. Parts of the region are designated as marine protected areas, and seasonal fishing regulations are in place to safeguard certain populations. PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) increase the issue of ghost-fishing in regard to prevention, clean-ups and recycling on the agenda of funders, environmental NGOs, leisure fishers and public authorities; (2) conduct a large-scale gear removal operation on the west coast and create a best-practice manual.

Our sandy beaches are on the Baltic Sea. Biodiversity status and values. Coastal dunes and sandy shores. Challenges. Environmental impact generated by urban pressure and the proximity to the capital. Community and cultural context. Dense populated, high number of seasonal visitors. Social controversy: local communities concerned about environmental impact, and economic interests. Economic engine and primary production. Seasonal tourism, second homes. Real state pressure. Governance. Planning (green infrastructure elements), legislative (protected coastal zones) and conservational (protected area) activities/measures affecting the preservation of biodiversity. PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) Social dimension - interest of different stakeholder groups, of high-quality public spaces and accessibility, development of recreational ecosystem services, sustainable economy. (2) Multi-level governance dimension to integrate the positions and interests of local and central authorities (3) Evidence based inputs from researchers and stakeholders for high-quality decision making and facilitation of stakeholder involvement processes (4) Interviews, participatory events and mapping actions. 

This is a virgin beach on the Black Sea. Biodiversity status and values. Sandy shore, riparian forests, dystrophic lakes, sandbanks Challenges. Non-existence of a supervisory body with knowledge about the coastal ecosystem. Community and cultural context. Lack of environmental awareness, over tourism, inability to perceive and adopt environmental solutions. Economic engine and primary production. Tourism. Governance. Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. PRO-COAST ACTIONS: (1) Local community engagement and environmental awareness: photos, surveys, etc. (2) Support high level and facilitate stakeholder involvement process. (3) highlight the environmental importance of the local flora and fauna, resulting that the local community, the local stakeholders and policy makers will continue and even more will increase their support to the ecosystem conservation.

The study area is a bay on the island and its surrounding area on the island Askøy, located on Norway's west coast. Biodiversity status and value: A sheltered sandy bay, wetland, estuary, and rocky formations offer diverse habitats for coastal flora and fauna. Challenges: A emission-free cruise ship terminal is proposed for this bay. Community and cultural context: Southern Askøy is densely populated, and Eidsvika is the only nearby natural recreational area. The island's population has grown rapidly, and it has undergone numerous development projects in recent years. Economic engine and primary production: Industry, construction, trade and services. However, the local economy is also influenced by its proximity to Bergen, with a significant portion of the workforce commuting from the island to Bergen, and a smaller number commuting in the opposite direction. Governance: Askøy is a municipality. The Eidsvika area lacks protection status but is designated by the municipality as a recreational and grazing area, with suggested plans to re-zone it as a harbor area. PRO-COAST actions: Follow and support stakeholders and their negotiations regarding this land-use conflict and its implications for coastal biodiversity.