The seeds of SCOPAC were sown at a two day conference entitled "Problems Associated with the Coastline" organised by the Isle of Wight County Council, in April 1985, that addressed a wide range of issues relating to coastal defence and protection. Speakers included those acknowledged to be experts in the subject at national and international level and those attending were left with three overriding impressions viz

(a) The complexity of both the natural processes at work along the coastline and also of the many issues and conflicting interests affecting the Coastal Zone.

(b) The multitude of authorities (Government and Local), agencies and other bodies with responsibilities and interests in the shoreline area.

(c) The degree of isolation in which these authorities were obliged to take decisions which so frequently had "knock-on" effects on the interest of others.

It was resolved that something should be done to address these difficulties and, in October 1986, the inaugural meeting of SCOPAC was held. There is a very close correlation between the membership of SCOPAC and the Authorities and other bodies who were represented at the 1985 Conference.

A distinction between Full and Associate membership status was introduced, with both electing one member representative and contributing an annual subscription and the former making an additional, substantially larger, input into a budget dedicated to the furtherance of SCOPAC's research objectives. However, only those with Full membership have a voting entitlement.

Full membership is restricted to public authorities with statutory duties under national coastal defence and protection legislation along the south-central coast of England. Those organisations with responsibilities for coastal, estuary or port management that embraces elements of shoreline protection qualify to apply for Associate membership. Relevant officers of each authority are entitled to attend but not vote. Observer status, involving a modest fee in return for non-contributory attendance at Conference meetings, receipt of minutes and other benefits is available for all types of non-statutory organisations with interests in shoreline management.