New ICT-based index for beach quality management

Beach management is based on administering technical, environmental, social and political issues to solve coastal problems. To assist coastal management, quality systems have evolved from Beach Certifications Schemes to indicator systems that take into account the three beach functions -natural, protection and recreation-. This study analyses: i) The usefulness of current indices for management decision making; ii) whether the beach user can both access information and participate in beach management; iii) whether the beach indices are dynamic, providing up-to-date information on the status quo of beach or is it merely a snapshot in time; iv) whether beach indices deliver the same result when used by different beach technicians. The results show that the current systems are subjective and based on static criteria, since most of them are obtained through expert opinion, visual inspection and/or interpretation of user surveys. Furthermore, most of the indices focus on the study of the recreational function leaving aside the other beach functions (especially protection). Therefore, the values obtained through these indices are more addressed to the beach user than to the beach manager, so (in general) they do not serve the beach manager in decision-making. Finally, to address the problems described above, a conceptual model based on ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) is proposed for the management and monitoring of beach quality. The computerization and automation of beach management, can be rendered more efficient and effective due to technological advances that can offer an integrated solution for the management of beaches.