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	Mediterranean Coastal Environment (MEDCOAST 95) Abstracts from papers presented at the 2nd International Conference on the Mediterranean Coastal Environment (MEDCOAST 95), October 24 -27 1995, Tarragona, Spain The series of international conferences on the Mediterranean Coastal Environment (MEDCOAST) was initiated for contributing to the international efforts towards the sustainable development of the coastal and sea areas of the Mediterranean, most notably those of the Mediterranean Action Plan, which became operational with the Barcelona Convention in 1975. All around the Mediterranean Basin, there is a rising demand for limited resources. These demands are exacerbated by a very large seasonal increase in the coastal population amounting to many millions because of the huge annual tourist influx. Taken in conjunction with expanding industrialization, urbanisation and shipping activities, there is a corresponding increase in problems stemming from the degradation of its marine environment, where there are inputs from industrial and domestic wastes, from agricultural fertilisers, from the use of toxic marine paints, and from oil spillages. Further future deterioration with widespread and cumulative effects is anticipated, unless stromg preventive measures, designed to encourage rational and sustainable land, water and resource management, are put into force. Following the Rio de Janeiro Conference in 1993, various initiatives have been put forward to transform the Mediterranean Action Plan perspective from "protection" to "sustainable development", by building up the "Agenda 21 for the Mediterranean". Alongside these concerted international efforts, some Mediterranean and Black Sea coutries have already started, or are about to start, their integrated coastal zone management plans. The 1st MEDCOAST Conference was held in Antalya,Turkey, in November 1993, with the aim of providing a forum for discussions and information exchange among various sectors and nations on issues related to the management of the Mediterranean and Black Sea coastal and sea areas. The Proceedings from the 1st and 2nd International MEDCOAST Conferences may be obtained from the MEDCOAST Secretariat. The 3rd International MEDCOAST Conference is scheduled to take place at Hammamet, Tunisia in October 1997.
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