Coastbased

Coastbased is an adjective used to describe individuals, communities, industries, or infrastructures that are located on or near a coastline, or that primarily rely on coastal resources for their livelihoods. In geographic and economic contexts, coastbased areas are characterized by access to ports, beaches, fisheries, and maritime transport networks, and often exhibit a mixed economy that includes tourism, fishing, shipping, and offshore energy.

Because of their location, coastbased communities face unique opportunities and pressures. Proximity to the sea supports trade, tourism, and renewable energy development, but it also exposes residents to hazards such as storms, erosion, sea-level rise, and pollution. Planning for coastbased regions commonly involves coastal zone management, habitat protection, and resilience-building.

Sectors include commercial and artisanal fishing, port handling and logistics, cruise and leisure tourism, shipbuilding and repair, and offshore wind and tidal energy. Growth in coastbased economies often depends on sustainable resource use, climate adaptation measures, and investments in infrastructure, such as seawalls, dredging, and coastal roads.

Global patterns show coastbased activity along major continental, island, and river-estuary coastlines. The term is sometimes used in policy and planning documents to distinguish inland economies from those tied to the sea.

See also: coastal zone management, blue economy, maritime infrastructure, coastal resilience.