How to Solve the Gap between Science and Policy in the Coastal Management of Mediterranean Countries

The gap between Science and Policy is one of the main problems affecting theimplementation of a sound coastal zone management in Mediterranean countries.Really, littoral and marine ecosystems supply a lot of environmental services, that areactually exposed to many natural and anthropic risks, infl uencing the ecological statusof coastal areas. So, in the Mediterranean basin, it has been introduced on 2002 aparticipatory process named Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) to addressscientifi c and political efforts towards a right marine policy. To highlight the lackingconnection between the scientifi c approach to coastal management and the currentinertia of policy actors, it has been presented a typical case study tested in a marineprotected area located on the western seaside of the Calabria region (Southern Italy).The innovative framework proposed by this paper highlights the fundamental role ofwidespread public knowledge to bridge the gaps, still existing, between Science andPolicy. By this way, it is suggested a new conceptual pattern able to connect the twocornerstones of ICZM program through mutual interactions mediated by knowledgeprocesses. So, it is hoped for an adaptive co-management of coastal zones based on aclose collaboration between scientists, policy makers, stakeholders and public opinioninto a socio-ecological "governance" of coastal regions. Finally, it is necessary to involveall private and public subjects to develop a continuous dialogue for an effective ICZMimplementation in Mediterranean countries.