Implementation of Coastal Setback: Article 8 of the ICZM Protocol

1. Implementation of Coastal Setback: Article 8 of the ICZM Protocol Pilot actions EmirjetaAdhami ECAT Tirana, Albania Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September2013

2. Albania Coast • The Albanian coastline has a total length of 476 km and wet by Adriatic Sea and Ionaian Sea. • The sandy beach stretches about 254 km along from Vlora bay in south to Buna River mouth in North (close to Montenegro border) and is richness with river mouths and deltas and coastal wetlands. • The Ionian Sea coast is the rocky and characterized by steep wetlands hugging the shore, spectacular cliffs and grottos . Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

3. Values and Problems of Albanian Coast Values Problems Degradation of biodiversity Increasing the population Illegal construction Pollution (industrial and solid waste) Erosion Industrial users Coastal management • Richness in habitats (marine, wetlands and non-wetlands) • Richness in biodiversity (flora and fauna) • Economical values (fisheries, agriculture) • Tourism and recreation • Heritage culture values Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

4. Coastal Areas in National Level - Legislation • Law on Territorial Planning (2009); • Law on Environmental Protection (2002, amended in 2008); • Law on the Development of Tourism Priority Zones (1993); • Law on Fishing and Fish Farming (1995); • Law on Water Resources (1996); • Law on Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Regulation (1996); • Laws and regulations relevant to coastal development (among others: Law on Protected Areas, amended in 2008); • Law on the establishment and operation of land protection and administration structures and the Law on establishment of forest guard; • Law on Biodiversity Protection (2006); • Regulatory framework on the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA-s) and a draft law on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments (SEA-s). Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

5. ICZM Protocol Albania is a Party to ICZM Protocol since February 2010 and has ratified the Protocol by the Law “On the ratification by the Republic of Albania of the Protocol “On the Integrated management of the Mediterranean coastal area” of the Barcelona Convention “On the protection of the marine and coastal environment of the coastal areas of the Mediterranean”, no. 10234, of 18.02.2010; Albania was amongst the first group of countries that signed and ratified the Protocol. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

6. Institutional Structure for Coastal Zone Management • Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration; • Ministry of Public Works and Transport. • Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, which contributes to the tourism development aspect and the inter-ministerial Council for Territorial Development, have related responsibilities. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

7. Coastal Territorial Planning It should be noted that: • the necessary legal and regulatory form to allow full integrated planning (including maritime one) has not been established yet. • the relevant institutions have not yet been entitled with these procedures. • the new territorial planning law is still in a early stage of implementation. • responsible institutions for planning law implementation are not established in all government level • institutional arrangements are not in place. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

8. Current status of ICZM and Maritime Spatial Planning • Albania’s coastal and maritime activities are rather limited; Albania is predominantly focused on fisheries. • A national ICZM plan for the entire coastal zone was developed (ICZM and CAMP), but there are gaps in the legislation and institutional framework; • A national law on ICZM does not exist; • Although a number of significant steps (mainly concerning ICZM) have been taken, at present, there is no Coastal and Maritime Spatial Planning in Albania; • Albania has neither experience in offshore planning, nor in specific regulation concerning this topic; therefore, potential for short-term application of Coastal and Maritime Spatial Planning is limited. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

9. Set-backline provision implementation • Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) Programme for the central Albanian Coastal region; • Albanian Coastal Zone Management Plan (1994 – 1996); • National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP); • Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Clean-Up Programme; • PlanCoast in Albania. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

10. Tentative Proposal for Setback Zone Vjosa River Mouth - Narta Lagoon – Gulf of Vlora ecosystem, is located in southern coast of Albania. The Site covers an area of 19,412 hectares. The core wetland is Narta lagoon, a shallow marshland of 2,900 hectares surrounded by hills in the southern and western part. Salinas and agriculture land in the north, and two shallow wetlands in the north-west. The Protected Area comprises land from two communes and its includes 18 with a total population of 24,000 inhabitants. The nearest town is Vlora, one of the largest cities of Albania, with 106,000 inhabitants. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

11. Values of VjoseNarte area • 37 % of the total surface is wetland • 33% is agricultural land • 6% is forest • The majority of land, circa 68%, is under state ownership and includes sandy beaches, forest and pastures, wetlands (lagoons, small reservoirs, rivers, etc), saltpans, major part of arable land, airport etc. • Private land includes arable land comprising olive yards, vineyards, fruit trees as well as residences Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

12. First Steps for the Setback Zone Provision Inside the pilot area is designated the Protected Landscape that is defined in 2004 by DCM No.680, date 22.10.2004. Sub-zoning of the Protected Landscape area according to IUCN guidelines is applied. The distance 200 m from the shoreline is established in the central area of the Protected Landscape, in which development and construction activities are not allowed. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

13. First Steps for the Setback Zone Provision Management Plan (MP) of the Protected Landscape is approved by Ministerial Order in 2005 after the designation of its zoning. MP follows the recommendation that the construction and other industrial economic activities are not allowed at 200m from the coastline. The MP of Protected Landscape will be in force and controlled by Management Committee. Name, Surname – Organisation CoastDay2012, Split September 25th and 26th

14. The Second Step In Setback Provision Process The evolution of the coastline in Albania from the geomorphologic view. Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

15. Dynamic of the Shoreline of pilot area The movement of the coastline during years 1938 - 2008 Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013

16. Thank you for your attention! Technical meeting with PAP/RAC NFPs Rimini, 24 September 2013