Integrated Coastal Management & Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Adriatic Sea, Republic of Croatia

This report discusses development of responsible aquaculture in the Republic of Croatia as part of the integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development of marine, coastal and islands natural and human resources. Based on literature review examples of aquaculture development and its constraints are presented, as well as possible solutions and recommendations. In addition, one attachment document provides brief summary information regarding Mediterranean lessons in aquaculture practices, while second document provides draft guidelines for sustainable aquaculture development in Croatia. Report is a contribution to the project ‘The Integrated Coastal Zone Management for Croatia with special focus on aquaculture’, administered by the Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Government of Croati

A framework for planning sustainable development in coastal regions: An island pilot project in Croatia

There have been few empirical studies demonstrating how sustainable development has been realized in a specific regime. This project developed and tested a framework for comprehensive planning including environmental, social, and economic considerations on the island Cres in the Croatian Coastal Zone. The approach defines sustainable development in coastal regions, and develops a generic framework incorporating biological, geological, chemical, physical, social, and economic factors necessary for sustainable development. The generic framework ensures that planning decisions will be based on environmental concerns of the area. A prime principle of the approach is that any plan must work with the environmental limits for sustainable development. Within these limits, however, many options for environmental and social development exist. Successful resource management demands knowledge and understanding of the resources being used, the consequences of those uses, and awareness that decisions ultimately reduce remaining options. In addition, the awareness of these consequences can be used to mitigate bad choice decisions. The use options are based on environmental carrying capacities, and incorporate a resource-based economy in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and ecotourism. The project uses integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technology to define existing environmental conditions, and identify resource limitations and constraints caused by potential uses, as well as environmental requirements and options for each potential use. Insufficiencies in the database that could hinder the full implementation of a comprehensive resource use plan were identified early. Using GIS, potential use conflicts were identified, and possible use scenarios in conjunction with various managements were evaluated. Finally, the GIS database was combined with current use-impact models creating an analytical tool for evaluating impacts of alternative development scenarios. The generic resource framework for sustainable development, planning and policy development establishes a base to which political, economical, and social considerations can be added. This integrated coastal system model is intended to guide the development of rational and integrated long-term social and economical policies for the continuing use of the coastal zone

UMass Boston School for the Environment: Educating the next generation of environmental problem solvers

Environmental challenges do not recognize disciplinary, socio-economic, or geographic boundaries. To support the development of environmental problem-solvers we deeply engage undergraduate and graduate students in solving real-world environmental problems through innovation and sustainability-focused courses and research experiences. These experiences directly engage local communities in the development and implementation of environmental solutions

The Living Labs: Nantucket Island

The Living Labs are a practical response to growing environmental challenges, including habitat degradation, loss of biodiversity, and global climate change. Nantucket Living Labs develops and implements holistic solutions to environmental challenges right here and now. The School for the Environment (SFE) established this concept in Conjunction with the Nantucket Field Station, Nantucket Conservation Foundation and ReMain Nantucket, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting a year-round community in the town center

Human Development and Resources Use in the Coastal Zone: Influences on Human Health

Coastal watersheds and nearshore marine areas are the most valuable and dynamic places on Earth. Human population growth is great in these regions, which are home to some of the most sensitive habitats in the world. Coastal areas provide more than half of the overall service value derived from the global environment (Costanza et al., 1997). Natural (e.g., hurricanes and tsunamis) and human pressures on this environment require it to constantly adjust. More than any other area, the global coast has defined the progress of human culture and continues to be a singular influence in how humans connect to the world around them. For these reasons and others, the global coast should be a central focus in the environmental management decisions of governments at all levels. However, increasingly, we have come to understand that allowing the degradation and broad-scale change in coastal systems has another consequence—our own health

Overcoming Ostrea edulis seed production limitations to meet ecosystem restoration demands in the UN decade on restoration

The European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, is a habitat-forming bivalve which was historically widespread throughout Europe. Following its decline due to overfishing, pollution, sedimentation, invasive species, and disease, O. edulis and its beds are now listed as a threatened and/or declining species and habitat by OSPAR. Increasing recognition of the plight of the oyster, alongside rapidly developing restoration techniques and growing interest in marine restoration, has resulted in a recent and rapid growth in habitat restoration efforts. O. edulis seed supply is currently a major bottleneck in scaling up habitat restoration efforts in Europe. O. edulis has been cultured for centuries, however, research into its culture declined following the introduction of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas to Europe in the early 1970 s. Recent efforts to renew both hatchery and pond production of O. edulis seed for habitat restoration purposes are hampered by restoration project timelines and funding typically being short, or projects not planning appropriately for the timescales required for investment, research-and-development and delivery of oyster seed by commercial producers. Furthermore, funding for restoration is intermittent, making long-term commitments between producers and restoration practitioners difficult. Long-term, strategic investment in research and production are needed to overcome these bottlenecks and meet current ambitious restoration targets across Europe

Concurrent Session 1: Resources for Open Education – Many Faces of Open: UMB Resources for Global Learning

UMass Boston’s instructional designers will show the various applications available for UMB faculty to share course materials (iTunes U, OpenCourseWare, OpenEducation by Blackboard) and will showcase one of UMass Boston’s first open online courses and its role in the engagement of coastal communities

Human Development and Resources Use in the Coastal Zone: Influences on Human Health

Coastal watersheds and nearshore marine areas are the most valuable and dynamic places on Earth. Human population growth is great in these regions, which are home to some of the most sensitive habitats in the world. Coastal areas provide more than half of the overall service value derived from the global environment (Costanza et al., 1997). Natural (e.g., hurricanes and tsunamis) and human pressures on this environment require it to constantly adjust. More than any other area, the global coast has defined the progress of human culture and continues to be a singular influence in how humans connect to the world around them. For these reasons and others, the global coast should be a central focus in the environmental management decisions of governments at all levels. However, increasingly, we have come to understand that allowing the degradation and broad-scale change in coastal systems has another consequence—our own health