Global Review of ICZM in Mexico

Abstract

In Mexico, the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) as it, is an uncommon instrument for coastal management. Nevertheless, ICZM was understood as a regional planning endeavor, similar in perspective to the marine and coastal ecological ordinances performed for all Mexican seas, some coastal municipalities and coastal states, many of which have been published as laws. The exercise of participatory planning has been fully developed in the country, but there is an alarming lack of implementation. In this paper we analyse the top-down policies that rule the marine areas (and coasts). At present the National Policy for the Sustainable Use of Coasts and Seas, is used as the main conveyor for governmental actions and interventions. It was proposed by the Inter-ministries Commission for the Sustainable Management of Seas and Coasts (CIMARES) that coordinates the actions of the several dependencies and entities related to the formulation and implementation of national policies for the planning, management and sustainable development of the seas and coasts at the federal level. This is a documental research that analysed the major policies using the methodology of “The Decalogue” which is an analysis of the main aspects of the public administration. The results show that institutional coordination capacity is a major challenge and planning instruments are still miss-used in decision-making processes.