ECSA 59 – Using the best scientific knowledge for the sustainable management of estuaries and coastal seas

ECSA 59 will bring together a global multi-disciplinary community of researchers, educators and practitioners to address issues of outstanding importance in the science (both natural and social) and management of estuaries and coastal seas in this rapidly changing world.

Estuaries and coastal seas are facing multiple pressures coming from human activities, which result in habitats and biodiversity loss, introduction of invasive species, input of different types of pollutants (i.e., organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, noise, light, etc.), overexploitation of resources and impairment of the marine health status. This is turn compromises the capacity of delivering ecosystem services and human benefits.

On top of these effects, global change is dramatically modifying the structure and functioning of marine systems.
To reverse this situation, implementation of management measures, rooted in the best scientific knowledge possible, are needed.

Identifying such measures requires long-term monitoring based on the ecosystem-based approach. This should be done through international collaboration (e.g., within the UN Decade of the Oceans, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, etc.), with the participation of multidisciplinary teams, using novel monitoring, analysis and assessment tools, including multiple origin data sources, and going towards open science.

This can help to manage the activities that we are doing at estuaries and coastal seas, and consequently, contribute to achieving sustainable seas and marine resources.

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