- Provides a direction for conservation of coastal resources and marine biodiversity into the 21st century.
- Suggests solutions to major conservation problems including pollution, storm damage and beach erosion, depletion of sea fisheries, excessive shoreline development, and destruction of essential habitats such as coral reefs and mangrove forests.
- Gives practical advice to students and practitioners alike on coastal conservation methodology.
- Presents the outcome of nineteen international coastal zone conservation case studies.
- Discusses resource vulnerabilities, design of coastal conservation programs, methods and tools for conservation, and sources of professional training.