The ICZM unit has conducted two pilot projects; one in Miri-Suai and one in Daro Mukah. The idea of pilot projects is to implement the ICZM in a smaller subsystem and to have a learning experience that may contribute to the overall strategy and implementation of an ICZM Programme for Sarawak.

Two different approaches were developed for initiating ICZM in the pilot project areas; the planning-driven approach used in Miri-Suai, and the issue-driven approach used for Daro-Mukah. The former approach includes compilation of a coastal profile, analysis of issues and the formulation of strategies, as well as drafting and implementing an Action Plan. The latter approach made use of existing regional studies making the compilation of a coastal profile redundant.

Both approaches rely on the active participation and commitment of the ICZM Team Members as well as of relevant stakeholders from all private and public institutions in the area.

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Basically, the need for ICZM is to balance between the requirements of the population and the conservation requirements of the environment.

The objectives of ICZM are:

• To establish a process that will lead to an integrated system of management for the coastal zone of Malaysia.
   
• To integrate the management of the various coastal environments and resources by incorporating proactive planning elements.
   
• To assist government authorities in the development, implementation and enforcement of guidelines and regulations for decision-makers and technical staff.
   
• To allocate resources and resolve conflicts regarding resource utilisation.
   
• To resolve issues arising from activities which may have an impact on the environmental quality of the coastal ecosystems.
   
• To address the needs of an increasing coastal population.

Integrated environmental management is a continuous process. Management plans are neither drafted nor implemented overnight. Some issues in the coastal zone of Sarawak are so serious that they cannot await an ICZM and require to be addressed in parallel with the development of suitable measures and arrangements.

For the State of Sarawak, an effective ICZM is predicted to have the following benefits;

Benefits of an ICZM in Sarawak:

• Address the aspirations of the local users of the coastal resources by creating a line of communication from the community to the policy-makers.
   
• Enable sustainable utilisation of coastal resources through smart partnerships between the private sector, government agencies and the general public.
   
• Initiate and enhance the process of environmental awareness and education.
   
• Develop management plans and contribute to the formulation of strategies to enhance the efficiency of coastal zone management in Sarawak.
   
• Provide a framework to support existing legal mechanisms that support the implementation of ICZM.
   
• Integrate the need and concerns of a wide variety of stakeholders in the overall resource planning and management rather than relying on a sectoral approach.
   
• Address issues affecting the coastal zone in Sarawak through the formulation and implementation of action plans.
   
• Create an effective mechanism for incorporating input from a variety of sources leading to the effective implementation of ICZM.
   
• Provide technical training to all stakeholders to improve understanding and skills in resource management and various other fields; and
   
• Develop and incorporate new planning and management tools.

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Successful coastal zone management should be a multi-agency approach. ICZM should be and integrated policy concern for all authorities sharing in the responsibility of environmental conservation. Sectoral and fragmented management systems are not adequate to deal with the complexities of the coastal zone. ICZM seeks to strengthen inter-agency coordination and harmonise the policies of many diverse agencies having jurisdictional powers over coastal resources.

Several potential models exist for introducing ICZM into the institutional framework of Sarawak. Some general options and the reasons for dismissal or acceptance in terms of the Sarawakian context are described below:

Creating a new agency

Creating a new agency or body to manage ICZM policy-development and coordination is a difficult task, since an authority vested within such an agency may conflict with the jurisdiction of existing agencies. Furthermore, creating a new agency poses the risk of contributing to further fragmentation of coastal management hence conflicting with the principles of ICZM

Integrate the ICZM function into an existing agency

The advantage of integrating the ICZM into an existing agency is that it immediately places ICZM within the main decision-making process thus facilitating application of ICZM principles. Yet, the risk is that the host agency mandate is insufficient to cater for the complexities of ICZM, i.e. economic, social, spatial and environmental dimensions of integrated coastal zone management.

Establishing a new policy-development and co-ordinating body under the Chief Executive

This is the preferred option for the ICZM framework in Sarawak. The main argument behind the recommendation is that it causes the least disruption to the present institutional alignments. Other advantages are that such a coordinating body will focus exclusively on ICZM. A coordinating body is considered the most suitable approach for effectively implementing new comprehensive concepts of ICZM without being biased towards any particular planning area.

The Government of Sarawak has set up an ICZM Unit to implement the ICZM project in Sarawak. It is the intention that ICZM Unit continues after the DANCED project team has completed its mission, and it is recommended that the future ICZM Unit be staffed by representatives of the agencies that have been involved in the project. The final institutional set-up is subject to the approval of the State Authorities.

The recommended elements of the ICZM institutional framework are:

• ICZM Secretariat, housed in the State Planning Unit.
   
• ICZM core units within the State Planning Unit, Land and Survey Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, and the Natural Resources and Environment Board.
   
• ICZM Technical Advisory Group
   
• ICZM Committee
   
• Local ICZM secretariats in coastal districts:

Review and develop policy and strategy on e.g.:

• Conservation of valuable coastal resources, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, fish nursery areas, and mangrove and nipah stands;
   
• Securing public assess to the coast;
   
• Promotion of coastal recreational and tourism opportunities;
   
• establishment of coastal setback zones;
   
• Managing the shoreline against erosion;
   
• Prevention of the coastal pollution.

• Interagency, public, national, regional and international networking.

• Publishing a newsletter, homepage

• Management of ICZM projects and programmes in coastal districts
   
• Research and development needs
   
• Funding opportunities
   
• Legislation needs

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