Review of sustainability concept and environmental indicatorrs for marinas and small ports

Abstract

The role of small port, sport port, marinas and recreational boating (yachting) ports has increased in the local economy in the recent years with deep ramifications with the tourism sector. This type of port can create impacts on the environment although not as much as the industrial ports. Due to of these impacts, marinas must develop environmental management system capable of making port activities compatible with the needs of their environment. The propose of this study, using a review of the existing literature, was to determine the sustainability concept in small ports and develop of an environmental indicators system for them. The marina’s sustainability depends on three pillars; economic, environmental and social, which are related each other, but this study only focuses in the environmental aspect. Here are it is presented possible approaches of sustainability concepts, indicators and environmental certifications programs that could be applied in small ports that could be useful to get a sustainable marina.