Experience is demonstrating repeatedly that even when the financial resources
are assembled and spent to implement a plan of action the results are often
disappointing. In developing nations, there is only modest evidence of sustained
progress in the Second Order behavioral changes that mark successful implementation.
The cutting edge of ICM practice in this next decade lies in learning how to
effectively and efficiently instigate these behavioral changes in specific institutions
and groups. This is illustrated graphically in Fig. 2. Reversing the predominantly
negative trends in the qualities of coastal ecosystems at significant spatial scales and thereby achieving the Third Order outcomes that are the justification for investments
in ICM lie further off in the future.