EcoPlata: an Uruguayan multi-institutional approach to integrated coastal zone management

We present here the essential elements which describe the genesis, development, results and status of an initiative known as EcoPlata. EcoPlata is a long-term joint venture between Uruguay and Canada in the area of marine science. Its preliminary goal was to develop a strategy to improve Uruguayan national capacity in integrated coastal management through the application of good scientific principles, while the ultimate goal was to influence ongoing national policy discussions related to scientific research. The EcoPlata program was designed in two successive phases: the first was devoted to planning; during the second, a work strategy to promote institutional research was implemented using well-defined scientific objectives. A future phase will advance activities to a more sophisticated level in order to involve a broader array of institutional participants, as well as move the decision process into the realm of integrated management. As a consequence of these impending changes, every effort will be made to maximize budgetary resources available to EcoPlata from all sources.