2026 International Coastal Access Symposium Summary Report
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Dalhousie University, Marine Affairs Program
Abstract
Description
Coastal access is the ability for people to travel to, and laterally along, the
coastline from both the seaward and landward side (sometimes considered as
perpendicular and parallel access). Access to coastal spaces - specifically a lack
thereof - is a problem shared by coastal communities around the world that are
impacted by the high desirability of coastal spaces, coastal development, tourism,
dynamic coastal processes (i.e., erosion), and the impacts of climate change.
Coastal access issues are often rooted in historical social injustices that are
perpetuated today resulting in complex policy problems. Globally, less than 16% of
the world’s coastlines remain mostly unimpacted by humans. Therefore,
understanding how humans share the coast is imperative to both social and
ecological coastal sustainability and the maintenance of robust, high-quality,
equitable coastal access.
On March 26th, 2026, the Coastal Access Working Group (CAWG), based in Nova
Scotia, Canada, hosted the inaugural International Coastal Access Symposium
(ICAS). This virtual symposium invited speakers from around the world to share
stories, research, and policy insights and advances related to protecting,
preserving, and enhancing public coastal access. Hosted in partnership with the
Ecology Action Centre, Dalhousie University and East Coast Environmental Law, this
free event aimed to enhance public discussions about coastal access and create
an opportunity for participants to learn from each other and contribute to ongoing
advancements in coastal access research and advocacy.
The symposium was structured around four sessions of live presentations, each with
time for questions, discussions, and informal networking. This report provides a summary of the event and insights gathered by the organizing committee.