The majority of the Turkish coastal areas are subject to a variety of problems caused primarily by anthropogenic sources. The main causes of these problems can be traced to coastal urbanisation, transportation, agriculture, industry, and fisheries and mass tourism. The ratio of the coastline to the mainland and the proportion of the population living in coastal zones with the national population are the main coastal characters. During the last decade important coastal zone management studies have been carried out with national and international activities in Turkey. It is covered by certain conventions such as Ramsar Convention and Barcelona Convention. In addition the few and inadequate rules and legislation pertaining to the coastal zones, the most important thing to emphasize is the lack of clarity between authorities. The current presentation discusses coastal zone management strategies and programs in Turkey and in the European Union.