WWF Northern Ireland and the Ulster Wildlife Trust are calling on the government to put a strategy in place to protect local areas of coastline that are rapidly deteriorating due to erosion, sand removal and the construction of apartments and marinas.

Just Coasting highlights that a lack of funding is being blamed for the poor progress in establishing a Northern Ireland coastal forum, despite being given the go-ahead by government six years ago. It also reveals that policy guidance in Northern Ireland, specific to coastal zones is minimal in comparison to planning policy in Scotland, Wales and England.

"The Northern Ireland coastline is in danger of being swamped by a tide of development," said Jim Kitchen, Head of WWF Northern Ireland. "New marinas and the apartments that come in their wake, shellfish farming, uncontrolled recreational use, sewage pollution, sand removal - all of these and other threats are putting unprecedented pressures on our fragile coast from Derry to Dundrum."

"The ravages of climate change, such as increased storms, violent weather and rising sea levels are adding to the threats. A strategic management system is the only viable method of ensuring that our coastal habitats are protected. Just Coasting clearly shows how far Northern Ireland is behind the rest of the UK in terms of coastal policy - now is the time for that to change."

Dr David Erwin, CEO of the Ulster Wildlife Trust added: " Structures have been tried and tested in other countries in the UK, to bring together those bodies with responsibility for managing our coast. It is long past the time for Northern Ireland to have the same facility. Just Coasting clearly indicates the way forward."

A recent EU recommendation called for member states to prepare national strategies as part of their approach to implementing ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management). For the UK as a whole, there is a commitment in the Marine Stewardship Report to have an overarching vision and a fully integrated set of strategies for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales by 2006. Initial public discussions relating to the UK-wide approach are due to take place in November 2002.

One of the main factors in the ongoing degradation of Northern Ireland's coastline has been the lack of commitment to establishing a coastal forum in Northern Ireland. Such forums across the UK are already monitoring coastal activities and providing expert advice to governments to balance human development needs with the natural environment's capacity to cope with it.