Coastal management and sustainable development: From Stockholm to Rimouski

Between 1972 (Stockholm) and 1996 (Rimouski), global awareness in relation to coastal management moved from a sectoral to a comprehensive and integrated approach, from the protection of the marine environment and coastal resources to the concept of sustainable development. This paper summarizes the progress made at the international level in relation to coastal management issues, with particular emphasis to the post-UNCED Rio Declaration. A synthesis of the main highlights and outcomes of the Coastal Zone Canada’96 International Conference (CZC’96) held at Rimouski, Canada, is then presented. Two declarations of principle (The Rimouski Declaration and Call for International Action) were adopted by the participants at CZC’96. They call for Canada and other international governments to better define national objectives, programs, and mechanisms permitting coastal communities to play a full and active role in the intelligent and practical management of coastal and maritime resources, and to meet their international coastal and ocean obligations thereby contributing to the sustainability of the oceans.