Specific implications for GIS used in ICM include:

• GIS results may assume additional importance due to the complexity of coastal realities;
• ‘Coastal’ GIS output needs to be treated with extra caution;
• Decision-makers need to be ‘GIS aware’.

More generally, the facts of life outlined by Bowers (1992) suggests that without appropriate understanding of GIS data management processes and GIS output, decisions assisted by GIS can be flawed or inappropriate.