European Union for Coastal Conservation, EUCC
The European coast has changed
dramatically over the last 25 years. The explosive growth of towns, industry and
tourism has harmed the coastal environment in many places. Nowhere in the world
has the coastal zone been so badly affected as in Europe. Pressure on the
coastal zone will increase.
The causes of this
environmental degradation transgress all borders. Solutions must be sought in
cooperation with all European countries. Experts from all over Europe have
agreed to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the conservation
management and sustainable development of the coastal zone. In January 1989 the
European Union for Coastal Conservation, the largest European Coastal Network
was established
EUCC membership now includes
scientists, planners, politicians, managers, local and regional authorities
government agencies and voluntary conservation organisations from 40 countries.
Many of them actively participate in the EUCC network, in their National
Branches, at congresses, workshops, seminars and on
excursions.
Through the network international
projects of member organisations and other institutes are stimulated and
coordinated. The gap between research and decision-making is bridged by
presenting managers and politicians with the results of international research
and experience. Coastal authorities can profit from this international exchange
and cooperation.
The process of degradation caused by
seafront developments, water pollution and oil spills are an increasing threat.
Not only to ecology, but also to coastal communities and tourism. Marine
accidents are impacting the shores of many countries.
The EUCC is dedicated to:
- coastal zone management as a tool for environmental
protection and sustainable development
- better international regulation of marine transport to
control oil spills and marine accidents.
- advising national, regional and local authorities
- exchange of information and experience between its
members
- furtherance of research aimed at coastal management and
nature conservation
- distribution of information and the bringing out of
publications
- organization of congresses, meetings and
excursions
The EUCC in
Europe
In many European coastal areas nature and
environment organisations are actively protecting the coastal environment. A
great number of those are affiliated members of the EUCC. Close collaboration,
especially at a European level, may achieve more. The EUCC is a founding member
of the European Habitats Forum.
In Central and
Eastern Europe, EUCC is acquiring an increasingly more important role,
co-ordinating and projects in close collaboration with local and regional
authorities, NGOs and local groups in the SE-Baltic.
Examples of the Projects by EUCC include:
- The Inventory of Europe's Coast
- European Coastal Code
- European regions for a Safe and Clean Coast (ERSCC)
- Field Projects in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Poland
and Ukraine
- 'Green Islands' Programme (field projects, local 'days', help
desk for coastal management)
The EUCC
publishes a quarterly magazine, Coastline
, that all members receive free and a
Journal of Coastal Conservation
to which members have a
discount. A list of the books that the EUCC publishes
regularly on European coastal management, planning and conservation, is
available from the secretariat.
For further
information on membership and publications, please contact the General
Secretariat or click here to enter the EUCC
website.
Information
Source
Prepared by ...
EUCC General Secretariat
PO
Box 11232, 2301 EE Leiden, The
Netherlands
Telephone
+31 71 5122900 Facsimile
+31 71 5124069
E-Mail
[email protected] Web URL
http://www.eucc.nl