García, M., Abogado, M. T., Pérez, F., Castillo, A., García, S., Marín, J., Morales, J. and Duarte, J.F., 2013. Developing Management Strategies for Coastal Public Domain in Venezuela: From Local Delimitation to National Implementation

Coastal public domain constitutes the area of interaction between land and sea. For its nature, is very dynamic due to the advance and retreat of the coastline. In Venezuela, coastal public domain is legally considered in the Law of Coastal Zones as an area to be delimited for conservation and public use purposes. The boundary of coastal zone has not defined, resulting in the inappropriate use of ecosystems and natural resources through incompatible developments with planning proposals. This article aims to establish criteria to define the boundaries of coastal public domain and to apply directives and guidelines in this space. These are derived from the National Policies for Conservation and Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones in Venezuela, established in 2010. The areas of study, Patanemo and Playa Coral - Bahía de Los Niños, have different natural characteristics and degrees of intervention. In both areas, a diagnosis was done and the coastal public domain boundaries were defined based on five (5) criteria. Used criteria are fully integrated into the physical, biotic aspects and risk management, allowing efficient planning. For Patanemo, three (3) directives and five (5) guidelines were applied. For Playa Coral - Bahía de Los Niños, two (2) directives and four (4) guidelines were applied. The directives and guidelines are adjusted to the natural characteristics of each area. A nationwide strategy to define and manage coastal public domain is to be established.