Habitat alteration by mining and dredging: Issues for policy actions.
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2005 - Dredging: The Extremes, Rotterdam
Authors:
Datta A., Corcoran E. and Hain S.
Abstract: The physical alteration of the coastal zone is one of the most immediate and visible outcomes of population growth and expanding urbanisation. A third of the world’s population live in coastal areas, which constitutes just 4% of the earth’s total land area. Globally, the number of people living within 100 km of the coast increased from roughly 2 billion in 1990 to 2.2 billion in 1995—four out of every ten people in the world. Rapid coastal development has meant increased construction of coastal infrastructure, such as urban centres, ports, airports and tourist facilities. Various types of dredging activity are employed to maintain ports, reclaim land, and mine sand for construction. With proper and prudent management, these activities can support sustainable economic development – but without, they represent major threats to the coastal ecosystems and the services they provide.. This paper will discuss the nature of the problems in respect to mining (particularly sand and coral mining) as an example of dredging on the coastal and near-shore environment, it looks at the work of the UNEP-GPA to advance guiding principals to enhance capabilities both within the public and the private sectors to assess impacts and define mitigation. The paper will highlight the significance of work initiated by the UNEP Coral Reef Unit to open up a dialogue between the dredging industries, related associations (CEDA, IADC, PIANC) and conservation organisations to develop guidelines for dredging in areas with coral reef in collaboration with all stakeholders.
Keywords: coral, mining, physical alteration, sand