Legal and policy in coastal management and the environment refers to the laws, regulations, and guidelines that governments and organisations create to protect coastal areas and ensure their sustainable use. In simple terms, it includes:

• Laws and regulations that control activities like fishing, construction, pollution, and tourism along coasts
• Environmental protection policies aimed at conserving ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, and beaches
• Planning frameworks that guide how coastal land and resources are used (often called integrated coastal zone management)
• International agreements between countries to address issues like marine pollution and climate change

Overall, legal and policy frameworks help balance human activities with environmental protection, reducing risks like coastal erosion, habitat loss, and pollution while supporting sustainable development.