The Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS advocates a series of strategic principles in order to achieve its goals. The Coastal Code of Conduct adopts these principles, and attempts to define some key elements which relate to development and management in the coastal zone.
 
 

PEBLDS PRINCIPLES	COASTAL PRINCIPLES AND KEY ELEMENTS  FOR MANAGEMENT
Principle of Careful Decision Making Decisions relating to the Strategy are made on the basis of the best available information, and as far as possible and appropriate, adopt economically and socially sound measures that act as incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biological and landscape diversity. Principle of Avoidance Introduction of appropriate procedures requiring environmental impact assessment of projects that are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological and landscape diversity, with a view to avoiding such effects and, where appropriate, allow for public participation in such procedures. This would include projects concerning introduction into the natural environment of exotic species, or of the release of genetically modified organisms. Precautionary Principle Action to introduce appropriate procedures to avoid or minimize potentially adverse impact of activities on biological and landscape diversity, ought not be postponed if the causal link between those activities and the impact has not yet been fully confirmed.	Integrate Sectoral Development in Coastal Zone Management Where possible opportunities should be taken to promote development of socio-economic sectors in an integrated way, taking careful account of the local carrying capacity. Such development should always be subject to comprehensive environmental impact assessment to ensure that the local carrying capacity will not be exceeded over the short or long term. In addition, activities within river catchment areas which affect the coastal zone should be incorporated into river catchment protection schemes. This applies in particular to activities which affect sediment transport and water quality and quantity, including activities which generate coastal litter. Non-Development Zones A non-development zone should be established in order to preserve undeveloped stretches of coasts for the use of present and future generations, and where necessary, to minimise the effects of flooding, sea level rise, and/or erosion. Such a zone should include all marine and interdital areas and coastal ecosystems and habitats, plus an additional protected zone for landscape protection and buffering from accelerated sea level rise generally from 100-300 meters from the mean high-tide mark (or within a prescribed contour within which elevated sea levels might be expected) and some distance seaward. Non-development zones should also be established within 50-100 meters of rivers (see also section on river catchments). New projects requiring major land reclamation, dredging or protection in the form of coastal defence engineering works should be minimised or avoided. Protect Coastal Land- and Seascapes Coastal landscapes and seascapes are amongst the more treasured and attractive landscapes in Europe. Much of this is derived from their natural or cultural character and those areas that remain should be protected from development which so dominates the scene that these values are destroyed. The most special areas should remain free from all but the most limited development required to make areas accessible and maintain their visual integrity. Protect Human Lives and Settlements In many countries coasts serve an important function in the protection of human lives and settlements. Coastal protection should therefore contribute to the safety of the people who live there. Prevent the Introduction of Alien Species The introduction of alien species for example through aquaculture, shipping, and stabilisation of sand dunes carries great risks to natural ecosystems and resources, and steps should be taken to prevent such introductions. Afforestations with alien species have caused particular problems to dune habitats, and where possible should be removed or converted to nature protective or recreational areas over time.
Principle of Translocation Those activities that are exceptionally harmful, and cannot be avoided, will, where possible or practicable, be relocated to areas where they will cause less impact.	Only Coast-Dependent Activities in the Coastal Zone The scale of activities in the coastal zone should be appropriate in relation to the natural, cultural and physical characteristics of the surrounding area and should ensure the preservation of the local cultural heritage. Many coastal zones are already highly developed and there has been a considerable loss of habitat while substantial areas continue to be put under great pressure. New development which do not absolutely depend on the coastal environment (physical, cultural, social) should be located outside of the coastal zone. Existing activities in sensitive coastal habitats which are harmful to coastal ecosystems should be phased out. Potential development sites in built-up areas should be reserved for future (sustainable) developments which require coastal locations.
Principle of Ecological and Compensation The harmful effects of physical changes in areas with high biological landscape diversity value which cannot be avoided, must be balanced by compensatory conservation measures by the user.	Zero-Net-Loss of Coastal Habitat Outstanding natural features and landscapes as well as important flora and fauna habitats should be afforded strict conservation status. When lee valuable sites are identified for development or use, however, another of like or larger size should be created and protected. Existing levels of coastal habitat therefore should be preserved, and where possible, increased.
Principle of Ecological Integrity The ecological processes responsible for the survival of species should be protected and the habitats on which their survival depends maintained.	Maintain and Enhance Coastal Processes Preservation of the natural character of dynamic systems, for example, sand dunes, beaches, and marshes, sea cliffs, deltas and estuaries, can enhance the resilience of the coastline against coastal erosion and accelerated sea level rise. Sediment transfer (from land to sea, from sea to coast, and along the coast) is a rejuvenating process and provides the basis for the development of the diversity of coastal systems. Physical barriers which impede these processes (ranging e.g. from a single tidal barrage to a row of hotels) not only destroy the natural dynamic value but also may cause unforeseen and costly damage to other features. When coastal protection is considered necessary, it is usually more effective to work with natural processes than against them; natural materials found locally should be used (e.g. sand, shingle) rather than hard structures. As far as possible there should be no further expansion of barriers directly or indirectly affecting particularly sensitive ecosystems. Prevent Habitat Fragmentation New developments in the coastal zone preferably should be located adjacent to (and landwards of) existing developments or where natural characteristics of the coast have already been compromised. Natural habitats, particularly dynamic habitats such as sand dunes and those which straddle both land and sea, should not be further fragmented.
	Create and Maintain Ecological Corridors Many mobile species require a series of habitats, or stepping stones, along a migration route, in essence forming links of a chain which may be of paramount importance to the survival of the species. Breaking these links could adversely affect the species leading ultimately in the worst cases to extinction. Aquatic animals (notably fish) move between river and marine habitats, and even between seas, sometimes over very great distances. Many marine mammals and seabirds rely on coastal habitats for breeding, and spend most of their live feeding and migrating between land and sea. Each of these involves the use of a corridor which can be discrete (a series of stepping stones) or continuous (such as a sea strait). Maintaining the natural integrity of corridors therefore is of paramount importance. In some cases, additional measures may need to be taken including restoration of degraded areas or restrictions on sectoral use. this requires an understanding of where corridors exist and how they operate.
Principle of Restoration and (Re)creation Where possible biological and landscape diversity should be restored and/or (re)created if it can be demonstrated by reference studies that the original state could be re-established where practicable, and thereby adopting measures for the recovery and rehabilitation of threatened species and for their reintroduction into their habitat under appropriate conditions.	Coastal Habitat Re-creation Habitat re-creation should be treated as a measure of last resort, given that new habitats are rarely as diverse as those they replace. Importance habitat sites therefore should be protected in land and marine area use. Where habitat re-creation is used as a compensatory mechanism for less valuable sites, however, new habitats should be created prior to the destruction of an existing habitat, and should be of similar or greater size and value than that which is being destroyed.
Principles of Best Available Technology and Best Environmental Practice As defined by the Paris Commission regarding activities that affect biological and landscape diversity, both access to and transfer of technology are essential elements for the attainment of the Strategy, and where possible to provide and/or facilitate access for, and transfer to others of, technologies that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological and landscape diversity.	Contaminant-Free Construction and Reclamation Materials used for coastal infrastructure should not include contaminants which might enter marine or coastal ecosystems. This applies not only to structures such as dykes, piers and sea walls, but to sand and soil used for the purposes of land reclamation or beach/foreshore nourishment. Conservation of Water The depletion of groundwater, particularly in the Mediterranean, is of increasing concern. Water for coastal habitats – wetlands, deltas, lagoons – is becoming increasingly scarce due to competition from agriculture, urbanisation, tourism and industry. Climate change is expected to worsen this situation. Water conservation should be primary concern in all development, with water saving technologies incorporated into all designs.
Polluter Pays Principle Costs of measures to prevent, control and reduce damage to biological and landscape diversity shall be borne by the responsible party, as far as possible and as appropriate.	User Pays Principle Prices charged for access to or use of coastal resources should reflect all short-term and long-term economic, environmental and social coasts associated with the use of those resources. If it is not possible to measure these costs their existence and relative importance should be taken into account. The cost of development in coastal areas, including infrastructure costs, the costs of environmental management and monitoring, and the costs of managing natural hazards, should be borne by development proponents.
Principles of Public Participation and Public Access to Information Creating sufficient and active public support for measures regarding biological and landscape diversity by involving public and private landowners, the scientific community, and other individuals and civic groups using land and sea resources in decision-making processes, through media, and the inclusion of these topics in education programmes.	The Coastline as Public Domain The coastline should be considered as a part of our natural heritage, and private ownership of the coastline should be avoided. In principle, the right of public access to the coast should be guaranteed but restricted as necessary to avoid conflict with the conservation of natural values. Decisions concerning coastal development should be taken with the full involvement of the public.