Kent coast fact sheets

Our coast is currently under pressure. Traditional coastal industries are in decline and many of the coastal towns are showing signs of deprivation.

Coastal settlements are under additional threat from rising sea levels and an eroding coastline. Pressures for new housing are resulting in further urbanisation of the coast, threatening the natural coastal environment.

The Kent Coast fact sheets cover a range of topics, including:

• an introduction to the Kent coast - facts and figures for the Kent coast and an index of the fact sheets
• biodiversity - an introduction to coastal biodiversity and the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan
• coastal management - a look at coastal erosion and sea level rise in Kent and an overview of the management of coastal change
• coastal towns - a look at the issues of deprivation, employment, population and property
• fisheries - an overview of Kent's fishing industry, including catch and fleet statistics and fisheries management
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management - an introduction to how this is being implemented in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Kent
• marine and coastal litter - a review of coastal and marine litter in Kent. The sheet also looks at beach award schemes and the Kent beaches that have met their criteria
• offshore renewable energy - an introduction to offshore wind farms, including details of current and proposed developments off the Kent coast
• ports - a look at Kent's ports and the roles they play in the local economy
• tourism - a look at the important role the coast plays in Kent's tourism economy
• water quality - a look at water quality, pollution effects and monitoring efforts.

To find out more about these issues and Kent's coasts, please view the Kent coast fact sheets.