Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Evaluation of Coliforms in the sand of urban beaches in Rio Grande do norte (northeastern Brazil)

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Beaches are very accessible environments for the entire population when it comes to leisure. They are also very exposed to environmental variations and anthropogenic impacts, which directly affects their general quality. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to analyze the sand from three urban beaches in Rio Grande do Norte, to identify the presence or absence of bacteria from the coliform group, evaluating their relationship with the period of the year and the frequency of users. The analyses showed that the increased amount of microorganisms is influenced by the entry of fresh water (river and rainwater) into the system and the intensity of use by users. Monitoring parameters related to the microbiological quality of beaches is essential so that beach users can guarantee the safety of their leisure, as well as so that public managers can make decisions, mainly of a sanitary nature.

KEYWORDS: indicator microorganisms; coastal environments; marine pollution; urban beaches; sand quality.

Coastal Environmental Dynamics in Purworejo Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

M.N. Airawati, Djati Mardiatno, Nurul Khakhim — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The coastal environment can change naturally or be influenced by human economic activities upstream and downstream. Purworejo Regency, Central Java, is a developing area with vaname shrimp as a mainstay of the coastal community's economy and tourism activities. Various anthropogenic factors and high sea waves in coastal areas make this area vulnerable to changes in shoreline and land cover. The shoreline in this study was extracted from SPOT time series spatial data (2007, 2011, 2017, and 2020) using the on-screen digitization method, while land cover changes were analyzed using the overlay method. The most significant sedimentation increase occurred from 2011 to 2017 with an additional area of 29.67 Ha, while the smallest sedimentation occurred from 2017 to 2020 with an additional area of 9.09 Ha. The worst erosion was detected from 2017 to 2020, which caused the loss of an area of 17.52 Ha. The type of land cover that is developing rapidly in Purworejo Regency is shrimp ponds, which have been widely developed since 2014. Cross-profile analysis concluded that there was no link between changes in shoreline and changes in land cover.

The marine spatial planning and the adoption of a model of strategic initiatives for its implementation in Brazil

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Increasing consumer demands and improvements in technology, coupled with population growth, have increased dependence on marine resources. It is necessary to find a balance between economic development, social needs and environmental sustainability in the use and management of the ocean. Given these situations, the rational and scientific use of the ocean has become a major challenge for all countries and coastal regions of the world, and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) has become a valuable and effective tool to achieve these goals. Thus, this article aims to present proposals for strategic initiatives for the Brazilian management of coastal and adjacent oceanic environments to make MSP viable. The models, experiences and practices of MSP adopted in other countries were analyzed, proposals and methodologies for managing conflicts of marine uses and activities were identified, the federal legal basis in Brazil and a semi-structured interview with a focus group of experts was applied. As a result, proposals were identified to be incorporated into national legislation, such as the adoption of a directive based on that adopted by European Community countries or the IOC-UNESCO guide, the adoption of financial tools to support the implementation of the MSP, the interaction of the planning and implementation of the MSP with public policies for coastal management, the pre-establishment of zoning rules for the use of maritime spaces, the identification of parameters to be adopted in determining the prevailing use or activity in cases of conflicts of uses or activities, and the establishment of a methodology that strengthens cooperation and social participation. It is concluded that the implementation of the MSP in Brazil faces a series of complex challenges, but that there are opportunities for the adoption of proposals for the Brazilian management of coastal and adjacent oceanic environments.

Sustainable Livelihoods and Coastal Resilience: Lessons from Fisherfolk Communities in Dumaran and Araceli

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, alternative livelihoods have been promoted across various regions to provide new sources of income while reducing pressure on marine and coastal resources. In Palawan, Philippines, training programs targeting fisherfolk in Barangays Tinintinan and Dalayawan in Araceli, and Barangays Catep, Bacao, and Calasag in Dumaran, have been rolled out to empower individuals with skills for sustainable income. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these initiatives by assessing training outcomes, participant profiles, and stakeholder feedback. The research utilized a survey adapted from USAID (Crawford & Herrera, 2008), with data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results reveal significant differences in training effectiveness based on gender and income. Male participants and those with lower household incomes (≤ ₱10,000) reported higher training effectiveness, suggesting varying needs and perspectives between gender and income groups. No significant differences were observed based on household size, educational level, or participation in fisheries policy decisions. Participants also highlighted areas for improvement, such as enhancing production processes, marketing strategies, and contextual relevance.

The results show that alternative livelihood programs have made a good start—helping fisherfolk learn new skills and find additional sources of income. But there's still work to be done to make sure these efforts last over time. One key improvement would be to make the training more hands-on and relevant to local realities, especially by teaching practical business skills. Ongoing support and better access to markets are also important. Programs that tap into local resources and encourage group learning tend to do better and last longer. Instead of offering just one-time training sessions, it’s essential to build community-based support systems that help people continue learning, adapting, and growing. This way, the programs can truly make a lasting difference in the lives of fishing communities.

The role of Monitoring in Coastal Resilience Assessment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000