Man’s Use of Coastal Lagoon Resources

Abstract

It has been estimated that of the more than 40,000 km-long shore zone of the world’s land — sea interface, there are some 700,000 km of actual shoreline, much of which is formed by coastal lagoons, estuaries, bays, sounds, fjords and other marginal marine water bodies which indent the margin of the land. This complex system has been, is, and will continue to be one of man’s most important natural resources. Considering the coastal lagoon system, which I will define in a moment, as one of the major environmental subdivisions of the sea, it has been the most important marine resource that we have yet utilized for our socio-economic benefit. But coastal lagoons are in danger of becoming a limited or reduced, or even an exterminated natural resource in certain parts of the world. Today, I will talk briefly about some of man’s uses, misuses, and abuses of coastal lagoon resources. I will mention multiple uses and the resulting use conflict of this vital natural resource. Finally I would like to present some ideas and challenges regarding the role of marine scientists and engineers in the rapidly growing demand for enlightened coastal management.