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The evolution of fishery and land reclamation in Lesina (Italy) and Curonian (Lithuania/Russia) lagoons was analysed as an example of recent trends in European coastal lagoons. Social and political changes were considered, addressing resource exploitation and inherent impacts on ecosystems. In both lagoons, the mismanagement of the fish stock led to the depletion of fish resources and to the decline of commercial fishery. In parallel, vast wetland fringes were reclaimed and turned into intensively managed farmland, with a marked loss of aquatic-terrestrial ecotones. In the last decades, the annual fish yield fell to less than 40 kg ha -1 in the Lesina lagoon, where the fishermen dwindled to 40 units, mostly pensioners rounding off their income. Recently, in the Curonian lagoon, more than 100 small private fishing enterprises were licensed to fish. Overall, the landed catches were difficult to monitor, which resulted in a substantial uncontrolled landing of fish (up to 60% of the fish yield). Under these conditions, the sustainable exploitation of lagoons and their resources can be achieved through an integrated management of watershed and lagoons. The restoration of ecotones, marshes and floodplains and the preservation of semi-natural agricultural ecosystems have to be considered as priorities. Examples of such approach are provided by pilot programs, aiming at the commercial exploitation of the reed belts along the Curonian lagoon fringes. Reed harvesting would increase the acreage of important migration corridors and spawning habitats for fish, also providing an additional income to the local communities.

Over 350 European Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) 'best practice' case studies are documented in the OURCOAST online public database, to ensure that lessons learned from experiences and practices are shared and improve coastal management practices. However, concrete criteria for 'best practice' are missing and a critical evaluation of the success of these case studies did not take place. We present an indicator-based tool and methodology that allows assessing the progress towards sustainability of ICZM measures. An indicator-based tool was applied to 18 thematically different coastal case studies using two different methods: a fast screening and an analysis in-depth assessment. Both methods used help to identify strengths and weaknesses of ICZM and their contribution to sustainable development. However, indicator scores were highly affected by evaluators' background and perception. The tool is user-friendly and easy to apply, it indicates what progress has made towards sustainability and to which extent targets have been met.

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