Discussion

Universal agreement was expressed as to the need for changes in the management of the coastline with increased liaison and consultation.

The importance of comprehensive data acquisition was emphasised involving, in the case of the NRA, Anglian Region, an investment of £4 million, and the problem of financing such a scheme was stressed. The need for coastal authorities to undertake a monitoring programme was being recognised and methods of financing were under consideration. One speaker strongly recommended the involvment of a geomorphologist in the analysis of coastal processes.

If economic and environmental objectives were to be set there had to be a move to introduce environmental accounting. This was largely a political process. The difficulties of making an economic assessment of conservation benefits were stressed, recent and current work on the subject being mentioned.