Governance of the Marine Ecological Environment and High-Quality Blue Development

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of global climate change and intensified human activity, the marine ecological environment faces unprecedented challenges. The health of our oceans is not only fundamental to global biodiversity, but also intrinsically linked to sustainable economic development and human well-being. Concurrently, the concept of the “Blue Economy” has gained significant momentum worldwide, emphasizing the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.

This paradigm shift aligns closely with recent national policy directives, particularly in China. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China further emphasized the critical mission of “protecting the marine ecological environment and accelerating the building of a strong maritime country”. The “15th Five-Year Plan” specifically outlines targets for marine ecological restoration, pollution control, and the green transformation of marine industries. Furthermore, China’s ambitious “Dual Carbon” goals (carbon peak and carbon neutrality) have placed new emphasis on the role of marine carbon sinks (blue carbon) and the low-carbon development of maritime activities. Internationally, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework also set the stage for enhanced ocean governance.

This Special Issue, titled “Governance of the Marine Ecological Environment and High-Quality Blue Development”, aims to dissect the intricate relationship between ecological conservation and sustainable economic progress in marine spaces. We seek to compile cutting-edge research that explores innovative governance mechanisms, policy evaluations, technological innovations, and sustainable business models that can reconcile ecological health with economic vitality. We are particularly interested in studies that address real-world challenges such as marine plastic pollution, habitat degradation (e.g., corals, mangroves, seagrasses), overfishing, and the ecological impacts of emerging industries like offshore renewable energy and deep-sea mining.

We welcome submissions that present novel theoretical frameworks, empirical analyses (including case studies), and interdisciplinary approaches. We encourage the submission of contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following topics: 

• Marine Ecological Restoration and Conservation: Methods for ecosystem restoration (e.g., mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs), effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and biodiversity conservation strategies.
• Marine Pollution Control and Prevention: Innovative solutions for plastic debris, oil spills, eutrophication, and land-based pollutant transfer.
• Policy and Institutional Frameworks for Marine Governance: Evaluation of marine environmental policies, cross-regional and international cooperation mechanisms, and integrated coastal zone management (ICZM).
• Blue Economy and Sustainable Marine Industries: Pathways for the green transformation of fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, and tourism, as well as the development of emerging blue sectors like marine renewable energy and biotechnology.
• Climate Change, Blue Carbon, and Marine Ecosystems: The role of marine ecosystems in climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as the assessment and valuation of blue carbon sinks (e.g., tidal wetlands, seagrass meadows).
• Green Finance and Market-based Instruments for Marine Governance: Exploring mechanisms like blue bonds, ecological compensation, and payment for ecosystem services in a marine context.
• Community Involvement and Just Transition: The role of coastal communities, indigenous knowledge, and ensuring equitable benefits in marine governance and blue development.
• Digital Technologies for Ocean Sustainability: Application of AI, big data, remote sensing, and IoT in marine environmental monitoring, enforcement, and sustainable resource management.

By presenting a collection of high-quality research, this Special Issue intends to provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry practitioners, and academics, ultimately contributing to the global pursuit of ocean sustainability and prosperous blue economies.

Prof. Dr. Shuhong Wang
Guest Editor

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