Coastal Communities at a Crossroads

Abstract

In this introduction to the special section, “The Economics of Coastal Communities,” we emphasize lesser-known or understudied connections between marine resources and communities in an effort to extend the lens of study beyond the economics of seafood. Facing pressure from all sides, resource managers, government agencies, and other entities have been calling for greater attention to these issues among researchers across disciplines. We provide a snapshot of how different organizations funding research and other innovation initiatives prioritize addressing current and future challenges in coastal regions. We summarize the complex setting of coastal communities as presented in the four papers in this section and outline points of departure for future research in the context of marine industries moving forward along the green transition path.