The regional management of the seas around the United Kingdom

The development phases of management of the seas around the United Kingdom are classified in terms of a sequence of control, regulation and management extending from the 15th century to the present. The sectoral pattern of management is considered in terms of two groups of activities, namely private sector industries and public sector activities. Management trends identified include the drive towards integrated coastal management, the evolution of North West European sectorally based regional management, and national boundary delimitation.