Key Services that MER offers include:

  • Evaluation of socio-economic and environmental impacts
  • Stakeholder surveys
  • Identification and assessment of land marine based sources of pollution
  • Use of valid indicators to assess the impact of pollution
  • Habitat Sensitivity Analysis
  • Identification and mapping of priority marine habitats
  • Assistance with regional planning for coastal activities
  • Design and implement environmental mitigation strategies
  • Design and implement environmental monitoring programs

 

The increasing anthropogenic pressures are concentrate where the land meets the sea. The majority of human population lives near or on the coast. Coastal planning processes represent an increasingly critical aspect of environmental management. It has to be done in a way that ensures on-going economic, social and environmental well-being at the coastal zone.

EU has issued Recommendations for the implementation of ICZM to member states seeking to ensure coherent action on the management of coastal areas at European level. However, there is at present an unbalanced approach to implementation of the EU Recommendations with some countries yet to initiate the process.

MER offers a range of services to help identify and address sustainable practices in coastal management and planning and these can be provided to a range of development interests including ports, harbors, marinas, power stations, desalination plans, hatchery units and property developers.