EUROSION project

EUROSION - The overall objective of EUROSION is to provide the European Commission with a package of recommendations for policy-making and information management practices to address coastal erosion in Europe, after thorough assessment of knowledge gained from past experiences and of the current status and trends of European coasts. However, the project also aims at producing results of immediate value for policy makers and managers on other administrative levels

A consortium led by the National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management (RIKZ) of the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (http://www.minvenw.nl/cend/dco/home/data/index.htm) started work in January 2002. The project is expected to achieve its objectives by the end of 2003 and has a budget of five million euros. EUROSION is based on the assumption that coastal erosion is a phenomenon that can never be completely controlled but can be managed in an economically and ecologically sustainable fashion.

The holistic view favoured by the consortium integrates:

• natural and human-induced causes of erosion (storms, seismic movements, reduced sediment supply from rivers due to dams, coastal defences themselves, etc.);
• different uses of the coast - including both its terrestrial and marine parts - and ranging from biodiversity and landscape conservation to tourism, industry and transport;
• different levels of management - from local to European and regional seas;
• river basin considerations;
• present concerns and long term perspectives (e.g. climate change).

Local examples: The collection process of information on examples of existing local shoreline management practices is currently under development. For this reason, the EUROSION team (led by the EUCC - The Coastal Union) is closely working with representatives of eleven pilot sites selected throughout Europe in relation to information management practices at local level and its role in delivering local policy and management. One of these sites is the Essex coast and estuaries CHaMP.

Communication: A Web site @ http://www.eurosion.org/ has been developed. This will make available the results of the project as they become available. Six newsletters will inform of project progress, topical issues related to coastal erosion management, announcements and upcoming events. A communication Toolbox will facilitate comment on the project and will help coastal managers and experts to ensure their involvement and contribution.