Revealing the Current Situation and Strategies of Marine Ranching Development in China Based on Knowledge Graphs
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This paper is an academic literature review on various aspects of marine ranching in order to identify research priorities. The authors have chosen a very relevant research topic. In recent years, marine ranching, as an emerging model of marine industry development, has become a research hotspot in the marine industry of many countries.
In this paper, the authors used a qualitative literature review methodology. The comprehensive analysis was carried out using three methods: bibliometric analysis, visual analysis with CiteSpace software and Excel pivoting, presented in the form of visual graphs and data charts. It can be considered that the results of the study have a theoretical novelty.
According to the reviewer, the conclusions should be expanded, indicating the specific results of the study, as well as indicating the necessary directions for further research in this area, based on the need to supplement information about the object of study.
Author Response
Ms. Ref. No.: water-2512691
Title: Revealing the Current Situation and Strategies of Marine Ranch Development in China Based on Knowledge Graph
Reviewer #1: Comments to water-2512691 by Chen et al. (please, also see annotated manuscript):
We are much grateful for your careful reading of our manuscript and your valuable comments and suggestions to help improve the paper. We have now carefully revised the paper in light of all the comments and suggestions. The following is a point-by-point response.
- This paper is an academic literature review on various aspects of marine ranching in order to identify research priorities. The authors have chosen a very relevant research topic. In recent years, marine ranching, as an emerging model of marine industry development, has become a research hotspot in the marine industry of many countries. In this paper, the authors used a qualitative literature review methodology. The comprehensive analysis was carried out using three methods: bibliometric analysis, visual analysis with CiteSpace software and Excel pivoting, presented in the form of visual graphs and data charts. It can be considered that the results of the study have a theoretical novelty.
Answer: We thank Reviewer #1 for these helpful comments. We are much grateful for your careful reading of our manuscript and your valuable comments and suggestions to help improve the paper.
- The conclusions should be expanded, indicating the specific results of the study, as well as indicating the necessary directions for further research in this area, based on the need to supplement information about the object of study.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph.
We fixed the “This paper is based on bibliometric analysis of two databases, CNKI and WoS, 293 and 522 academic journal papers were retrieved from the core databases of CNKI and WoS, respectively. The data sources are complete, systematic, cutting-edge, and highly authoritative. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using three methods: bibliometric analysis, CiteSpace software visualization analysis, and Excel data perspective, and presented in the form of visual charts and data graphs. Systematically compare and analyze the publication volume, authors, research institutions, keyword clustering, keyword time graph, and prominent words of literature. The following conclusions were drawn.
Publication volume for marine ranching is on the rise. Whether it is China or other countries in the world, the research enthusiasm and attention to marine ranching continue to rise. From the distribution of authors and research institutions, research institutions in European and American countries are particularly closely connected, and most of the research results are produced in the form of institutions. Research in China is generally led by experienced scholars in the academic field. Several researchers form a research team, relying on university research institutions to conduct experimental research and produce academic results. In the keyword clustering and time map, the earlier countries in marine ranching research focused on species research and technology application. However, China's research started relatively late, taking advantage of local resources, actively restoring and maintaining the ecological environment of marine ranching, and promoting the coordinated and sustainable development of modernized regions and the entire industrial chain of marine ranching.
The development of marine ranching can’t be separated from the guidance and support of the government. This paper combed China's marine ranching development policy in the past 20 years, and studied the development trend of China's sea ranch from the policy perspective, China's marine ranching construction is currently based on the comprehensive development of the region. Secondly, artificial reefs are used as a carrier, seedling placement is used as a means, and stocking and releasing is used as a supplement to actively develop aquaculture, while promoting the development of leisure fisheries and other industries. The Chinese government focuses on the development of modernized "all-area" sea ranches that are "ecological, precise, intelligent, and integrated". Intelligent sea ranch will become the latest research hotspot, and the future development trend of marine ranching will take the ecological sustainable development.” Line 633-664.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Review of the manuscript entitled “Revealing the Current Situation and Strategies of Marine
Ranch Development in China Based on Knowledge Graph”.
The authors use bibliometric analysis methods to investigate the development trends and current status of marine ranching knowledge in China. The topic is interesting to the readership of the journal, however, suffered from a number of issues that need to be addressed. These include.
The abstract needs improvement.
Please write out the full names of CNKI and WoS within the abstract and first mention in the main text body.
Please offer a definition of marine ranching within the abstract and a little wider context of why this approach was developed and is promoted in China. 2 sentences to give the reader some introductory context.
What are the current research directions and future directions?
Introduction
Line 34-37 rewritten as 1 sentence. Do not start the sentence with “And.”
Line 37. Who are They in “They Consider”?
Line 68. Who issued the Technical Guidelines for the Construction of Marine ranching?
Line 79 repetition. The ratification date of the technical guidelines can be combined above with line 68.
Line what is the area size of all demonstration areas? Who manages them? How are they promoted? How are they managed?
Materials and methods
Please provide a list of words used in the literature search on both platforms.
Results
Figure 1. Please decease font size on both axes to improve readability.
Figure 2. The legend is not readable. How useful is the Knowledge graph of authors?
Figure 3 is difficult to read. Please increase legend size in both figure 2 and 3
Table 1? How often where these documented cited? Count = number of publications by both institution and author? This should be made clearer.
Figure 4 is unreadable in its current form.
Figure 7 is a repeat of Figure 1? Re-search should be research
Figure 8 cannot be read
Figure 10 cannot be read easily. Where is the timeline information?
Please explain and reference figure 13 in the text and provide an understandable caption to the alluvial figure.
Discussion
Line 526-528. What are the current research hotpots, and policy development trends? State again the results and provide context.
How does marine ranching conflict with other coastal uses and functions?
What is current status of ranching in China?
What is the limitation of your research methodology? Several limitations need to be considered. Please state these clearly.
How to promote more science-based policy and practice in China in this field?
The English needs to be improved somewhat.
Author Response
Ms. Ref. No.: water-2512691
Title: Revealing the Current Situation and Strategies of Marine Ranch Development in China Based on Knowledge Graph
Reviewer #2: Comments to water-2512691 by Chen et al. (please, also see annotated manuscript):
The authors use bibliometric analysis methods to investigate the development trends and current status of marine ranching knowledge in China. The topic is interesting to the readership of the journal, however, suffered from a number of issues that need to be addressed. These include.
We are much grateful for your careful reading of our manuscript and your valuable comments and suggestions to help improve the paper. We have now carefully revised the paper in light of all the comments and suggestions. The following is a point-by-point response.
Abstract
- Please write out the full names of CNKI and WoS within the abstract and first mention in the main text body.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WoS)” Lines 21-22, Line 118, Line 123.
- Please offer a definition of marine ranching within the abstract and a little wider context of why this approach was developed and is promoted in China. 2 sentences to give the reader some introductory context.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We fixed the “A marine ranch is an ecological aquaculture fishing ground formed within a specific sea area to increase and restore fishery resources, combined with artificial nurseries and the construction of fish reefs. As a major maritime country, China attaches great importance to the construction of marine ranches, and supports them as an important means of conserving aquatic resources, providing fishermen with jobs, and building a marine ecological civilization.” Line 11-16.
- What are the current research directions and future directions?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We fixed the “At present, China is focusing on the development of modernized "all-area" marine ranching which is "ecological, precise, intelligent and integrated". Obviously, it cannot be overemphasized that smart marine ranching will become a research hotspot in the future.” Line 26-29.
Introduction
- Line 34-37. rewritten as 1 sentence. Do not start the sentence with “And.”
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We fixed the “In Japan, marine ranching is defined as "the basic technology system of future fishery and the system for sustainable development of marine living resources to produce food", and the world's first marine ranching has been successfully built [6-8].” Line 42-44.
- Line 37. Who are They in “They Consider”?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We fixed the “Japan considers various farming methods, including ponds.” Line 45.
- Line 68. Who issued the Technical Guidelines for the Construction of Marine ranching?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We fixed the “In the latest national standard "GB/T 40946-2021 Technical Guidelines for the Construction of Marine ranching", which was issued on June 1, 2022 by the State Administration of Market Supervision of the People's Republic of China.” Line 74-76.
- Line 79 repetition. The ratification date of the technical guidelines can be combined above with line 68.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “which was issued on June 1, 2022” Line 75.
We fixed the “As mentioned above, since China's first technical guidelines was officially implemented in 2022.” Line 87.
- What is the area size of all demonstration areas? Who manages them? How are they promoted? How are they managed?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “Private enterprises are almost the main body in the creation, management and maintenance of marine ranching demonstration areas in China. The Ministry of Agriculture of China has established an assessment and management mechanism of "annual evaluation, target assessment, dynamic management, and the ability to advance and retreat". Some measures have been implemented, such as organizing annual evaluation and supervision and inspection work, building a dynamic supervision information system, and tracking and monitoring the operation of the demonstration area.” Line 90-97.
Materials and methods
- Please provide a list of words used in the literature search on both platforms.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “In the advanced search mode of CNKI, search with "TS= marine ranching" as the subject and keywords.” Line 130-131.
We fixed the “The specific settings are “(((TS=(marine ranching)) OR TS=(the sea ranch)) OR TS=(ocean ranching)) OR TS=(oceanic ranch)”.” Line 137-139.
- Figure 1. Please decease font size on both axes to improve readability.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 1.
- Figure 2. The legend is not readable. How useful is the Knowledge graph of authors?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 2. We fixed the “According to Price's law in the statistical analysis of literature, the number of publications by core authors is calculated as , where m denotes the minimum publication standard for core authors, and denotes the number of papers published by the author with the most publications. From Price's law, the minimum number of publications of this core author is calculated as 3.08, which means that the minimum number of publications is 4 and above. The number of publications in a journal reflects the trends and academic interest in the research topic, and the development of research in the field of marine ranching is inextricably linked to the authors and institutions of the literature.” Line 191-199.
We also fixed the “From Price's law, the minimum number of publications of this core author is calculated as 3.59, which means that the minimum number of publications is 4 and above.” Line 365-366.
- Figure 3 is difficult to read. Please increase legend size in both figure 2 and 3.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 2 and Figure 3.
- Table 1? How often where these documented cited? Count = number of publications by both institution and author? This should be made clearer.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Table 1. The counts in the table are the number of publications, and the article focuses on the number of publications for authors and institutions, comparing and analyzing the data from the two literature databases. We apologize for the less-than-ideal results we made about how often these records were cited. Regarding the frequency of citation of bibliographic records, we tried to make the data but did not analyze it because CiteSpace could not compute the exported results, for which we apologize.
- Figure 4 is unreadable in its current form.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 4.
- Figure 7 is a repeat of Figure 1? Re-search should be research.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 7. We combined Figure 7 with Figure 1 and deleted Figure 7.
- Figure 8 cannot be read.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 7 (originally Figure 8).
- Figure 10 cannot be read easily. Where is the timeline information?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 9 (originally Figure 10). The timeline mapping is shown in Figure 10 (originally Figure 11). We fixed the “Figure 9. Clustering map of keywords in the field of marine ranching research in CNKI.” Line 408.
- Please explain and reference figure 13 in the text and provide an understandable caption to the alluvial figure.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 12(originally Figure 13). We fixed the “We compare and analyze the keywords compiled by CNKI, WoS, and China Policy, and plotted the Alluvial diagram (Figure 12).” Line 495-496.
We fixed the “Figure 12. Correlation diagram between WoS and CNKI and the three keywords of China policy.” Line 507.
Discussion
- Line 526-528. What are the current research hotpots, and policy development trends? State again the results and provide context.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “China's construction of marine ranching is currently dominated by comprehensive regional development. Once again, artificial reefs are used as a carrier, bottom-seeding is used as a means of breeding, and breeding and releasing is used as a supplement to actively develop aquaculture, while at the same time promoting the development of recreational fisheries and other industries [83]. The Chinese government focuses on the development of "ecological, precise, intelligent, and integrated" modernized "all-area" marine ranching. In recent years, the research direction of China's marine ranching has always followed the national policy, intelligent marine ranching will become the latest research hotspot, and the future development trend of marine ranching will take the road of ecological sustainable development. [6,86,92].” Line 589-597.
- How does marine ranching conflict with other coastal uses and functions?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “Intensive and economical use of the sea and improving the efficiency of sea space use are important ways for the sustainable, efficient, green, and high-output development of the marine industry. Adhere to land and sea coordination, based on the "comprehensive" protection and development of coastal and inland waters, use land and sea coordination to help upgrade marine ranches, rely on island and reef resources to develop leisure marine ranches, and pay attention to the protection of island and reef resources; In inland waters, we will explore and promote the construction of ecological pastures with the goal of fish farming and resource conservation. On the basis of actively repairing and maintaining the ecological environment of marine ranching, the development model of marine ranching continuously improves the integration level of the first, second, and third industries of marine fisheries, thereby promoting the modernization of "whole region" marine ranching and the coordinated and sustainable development of the entire industry chain.” Line 547-558.
- What is current status of ranching in China?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “Marine ranching is influenced by the marine environment, and China has a natural geographical location advantage, with vast sea areas and rich island resources, which is conducive to the large-scale development of marine ranching and obvious marine economic benefits. The construction of national-level marine ranching demonstration zones has promoted the vigorous development of marine ranching across the country. Although the construction of China's marine ranching has begun to bear fruit, there are still many pressing problems to be solved in terms of the comprehensive benefits of modernized marine ranching, the technical system and the integrated development model.” Line 539-546.
- What is the limitation of your research methodology? Several limitations need to be considered. Please state these clearly.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “In the course of the research, due to the limitation of the research method, some problems are encountered. For example, in order to ensure the validity of the content of the analyzed documents, it is necessary to manually screen and eliminate invalid documents when selecting the analysis samples. Therefore, in the case of a large number of documents, the workload is relatively large. Secondly, when running the CiteSpace software, it is necessary to manually adjust the interface to ensure the intuitive visualization of the graphics. The biggest challenge lies in the collection of policy documents. For example, early policies are difficult to find on official government websites, and some documents have passed their release deadlines and cannot be searched. The solution was to search only by mentions in other published literature and offline paper literature.” Line 620-629.
- How to promote more science-based policy and practice in China in this field?
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected this paragraph. We corrected these errors. We fixed the “The management of marine ranching horizontally involves multiple sectors and vertically involves different levels, and there are management overlaps, gaps and even conflicts. Based on this, some scholars have proposed that the policy design of marine rangeland should gradually evolve from a single subject and simple structure to a diversified policy with specialized content. However, there is a need for further in-depth discussion on how to determine the functions of different sectors such as fisheries, natural resources and ecology, and how to establish a management and service system in which each sector has its own responsibilities and division of labor is assisted. In addition, the government needs to make full use of the existing fishery development subsidy policy to guide the acceleration of the integration of the sea ranch industry with the capital market.” Line 605-614.
- The English needs to be improved somewhat.
Answer: We have followed your comments and sought help from the English editor recommended by the journal. Thanks to the English editor recommended by the journal for assisting in the revision of the article. With regard to the quality of the English language in the articles, we will endeavor to improve it by making content-writing changes.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The aim of the current study is to carry out a comprehensive analysis using three methods: bibliometric analysis, visual analysis with CiteSpace software and Excel pivoting, presented in the form of visual graphs and data charts
The manuscript needs minor revision. The following points must be addressed.
- The English should be improved. Lots of typo errors are found in the manuscript. Like, conference pa-pers, so review the English carefully.
- Most figures’ resolutions are very bad and must be enhanced. For example, Figures 2, 3 and 4 resolution must be increased.
The authors said, From the results, the development of marine ranching can be divided into two stages. Phase 1:
You must decide between stage or phase
- Legend in Figure 11 must be enlarged. Do it for all figures. It was very difficult to read.
Author Response
Ms. Ref. No.: water-2512691
Title: Revealing the Current Situation and Strategies of Marine Ranch Development in China Based on Knowledge Graph
Reviewer #3: Comments to water-2512691 by Chen et al. (please, also see annotated manuscript):
The aim of the current study is to carry out a comprehensive analysis using three methods: bibliometric analysis, visual analysis with CiteSpace software and Excel pivoting, presented in the form of visual graphs and data charts
The manuscript needs minor revision. The following points must be addressed.
We are much grateful for your careful reading of our manuscript and your valuable comments and suggestions to help improve the paper. We have now carefully revised the paper in light of all the comments and suggestions. The following is a point-by-point response.
- The English should be improved. Lots of typo errors are found in the manuscript. Like, conference pa-pers, so review the English carefully.
Answer: We have followed your comments and sought help from the English editor recommended by the journal. Thanks to the English editor recommended by the journal for assisting in the revision of the article. We have followed your comments, and have corrected the article. We corrected these errors.
- Most figures’ resolutions are very bad and must be enhanced. For example, Figures 2, 3 and 4 resolution must be increased.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn the entire article’s figures.
- The authors said, From the results, the development of marine ranching can be divided into two stages. Phase 1: You must decide between stage or phase
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected the article. We corrected these errors. We fixed the content of the article and labeled it uniformly as “stage”.
- Legend in Figure 11 must be enlarged. Do it for all figures. It was very difficult to read.
Answer: We have followed your comments, and have corrected these errors. We have redrawn Figure 11 (originally Figure 10).
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Many thanks for having addressed my remarks when revising your manuscript, which is now ready for acceptance in my opinion
