The beautiful coast of Kerala is as much a part of the unique dynamics of Kerala's social history as its natural history. The coastal plain of Kerala also constitutes a special ecological mosaic. The Coastal Zone in Kerala is the low land fringing the sea extending over 560 krn, with a height of less than 8m from the MSL, covers about 15 % of the state's total area of 38,863 sq.krn. A chain of water bodies, locally known as kayals running parallel/ oblique to the coastline is a characteristic feature of Kerala coast. These are mostly interconnected by natural or man-made canals, facilitating internal navigation almost for the entire length of the coast. Numerous perennial rivers discharge into these kayals. Southern half of the Kerala coast harbours more of larger backwaters. The kayals of the Kerala coast are mostly separated from the sea by elongated sandbars and based on this they can be treated as "coastal lagoons". The coast is well known for several places of historical importance, heritage areas and  areas of outstanding natural scenic beauty.

Most of the dynamic processes which have been occurred within the coastal zones produce diverse and productive ecosystems. Coastal margins equate to only 8% of the worlds surface area but provide 25% of global productivity. As populations in coastal areas increase and the economic activity diversifies, all the impacts on coastal environment are bound to worsen threatening survival several species, productivity of the biota, and render fishing an unsustainable proposition. It is, therefore, clear that unless governments and resource users take appropriate action, the degradation of the coastal and marine environment will become uncontrollable and there will be no possibilities for sustainable use of resources from these waters.