The issues of coastal erosion and flooding and the impact of tourism on
coastal destinations are the subjects under discussion at UCC this week
(4-8 April 2006). UCC's Coastal and Marine Resources Centre
(CMRC) is playing host to 70 delegates from 11 European countries who
have a range of experience in dealing with coastal issues, from coping
with mass tourism in the Canaries to developing sustainable tourism
strategies for the Danish coast.
According to CMRC manager, Valerie Cummins, "We have much to learn from
our European counterparts when it comes to coastal zone
management. Furthermore, opportunities exist for improving the
level of dialogue on coastal issues between the research community and
policy makers here at the national level. In Ireland at present
we have no forum for communication in the form of a national coastal
network or national coastal conference." This is about to change, as
Cummins has been instrumental in the establishment of the Irish Coastal
Network (I-CoNet), to be launched this evening (4 April) in conjunction
with the coastal events taking place in UCC this week.
I-CoNet aims to promote good practice in coastal management by bringing
together coastal practitioners, policy makers, researchers and the
general public with an interest in the sustainable development of
Ireland's coast. The network will be managed in partnership
between representatives from the Department of Communications Marine
and Natural Resources, the Marine Institute, the Heritage Council,
NUIG, the University of Ulster, Enterprise Ireland and UCC.
Participation in I-CoNet will be free. Interested parties should
contact Cathal O'Mahony of the CMRC at c.omahony@ucc.ie / 021 4703100.
Meanwhile, the visiting experts from around Europe have been busy
becoming acquainted with the West Cork coastline. On Sunday (2
April) the CMRC facilitated a visit to Baltimore and Sherkin Island,
including a boat tour of Roaringwater Bay, to highlight the potential
for the development of eco-tourism products in the region and linking
with research underway in the Centre to develop Tourism Quality
Milestones for sustainable coastal destinations.
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