protecting the coast literally means protecting and safeguarding one’s own homes.

The coast is under intense human pressure, which includes tourism and a large human presence, port and industrial activities, and release of pollutants. Another important reason for protecting the coast is the fact that it is the site from where we can gain access to the sea and is, therefore, our first line of defense against a rise in sea level and against storms.

In fact, coastal plants, such as those found in dunes, can fight coastal erosion in a natural way, without the need to build expensive and unsightly concrete structures such as groynes. The roots and rhizomes of these plants help to stabilize the sand and soil underneath by holding it together. Sand is also trapped beneath banquettes, protecting the same sand from storm erosion during winter.

A rich biodiversity is found at the coast, and this includes the larvae of many fish species popular with fishermen and which use coastal waters as a nursery, and also includes crabs, snails and algae. In spite of this biodiversity, the coast is one of the most impacted terrestrial regions, due to its popularity with tourists and local people for recreation.