Purpose This study aims to systematically evaluate the forecasting performance of different grey system models in the marine economy. Its goal is to identify models that can accurately predict trends in key marine industries. The findings are expected to provide a valuable reference for assessing the applicability and reliability of grey models in supporting decision-making, policy formulation and sustainable development planning. Design/methodology/approach This study examines three key sectors of the marine economy, including marine fisheries, seawater utilization and marine transportation. Annual output data from 2006 to the most recent year are utilized. Several grey forecasting models with different structural formulations are applied, and their forecasting accuracy is evaluated using multiple performance metrics. Findings The fractional non-homogeneous discrete grey (FNDGM) model demonstrates the best overall forecasting performance across all three marine economy sectors. Overall, the results confirm that grey prediction models are particularly well suited to various sectors of the marine economy. Originality/value This study presents one of the few systematic comparisons of grey forecasting models in the marine economy. It extends the application of the FNDGM model to multiple marine sectors, demonstrating its robustness across marine economy datasets. The study highlights the strength of grey methods in handling small-sample data and provides practical insights for policymakers and industry planners to support sustainable marine development.

Purpose Sustainable fishing practices are essential for preserving marine ecosystems and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. This study aims to investigate currently practised fishing gear types used in motorised fishing crafts and to assess fishers’ knowledge, awareness and perceptions regarding the ecological impacts of different fishing gears along the southern Kerala coast (Thiruvananthapuram), a district with the highest fisher population. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data. The research used multistage random sampling approach, key informant survey, five-point Likert scale analysis and descriptive statistics. Findings The study revealed that gears such as boat seines, gill nets, long lines and hand lines are commonly used in small-scale motorised crafts. There is a shift from gill net to boat seine even though fishers are aware of sustainable issues. The increasing use of boat seines with high mast lights, which indiscriminately capture all fish, including juveniles, was found to be unsustainable. Originality/value Since the practice of boat seines with high mast light is increasing, there is a need for targeted awareness campaigns, gear regulations enforcement, biodegradable materials promotion and incentives for adopting low-impact technologies. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders are critical to ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing activities along the Kerala coast.

PurposeMaritime security is a crucial aspect of national security. In recent years, it has become a vital factor in safeguarding maritime rights and interests, developing maritime power, and strengthening global ocean governance. This paper aims to review the current status and research hotspots of maritime security in Chinese journals, compare these findings with relevant studies from foreign-language journals, and propose directions and references for future research.Design/methodology/approachBy employing CiteSpace visualization software and bibliometric visualization analysis from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), this paper conducts a visual analysis of 879 relevant publications in the CNKI database. The visualization results are then compared with research findings reported in foreign-language journals.FindingsThe analysis shows that maritime security has received increasing attention, with research activity rising sharply after 2004. Key research areas include global ocean governance and maritime security, Sino-Japanese maritime security issues, China’s maritime security under the Indo-Pacific Strategy, and response strategies based on the evolving maritime security situation. The evolution of research themes has followed distinct stages, influenced by international dynamics, China’s surrounding security environment, and shifts in national strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relies solely on data from CNKI, excluding sources from English databases such as Web of Science and Scopus. As a result, it mainly reflects maritime security research in China and may not offer a comprehensive view of global research trends.Originality/valueThis paper systematically reviews China’s maritime security research output, identifies major research topics and emerging trends, and provides directions and references for future research. It also compares Chinese findings with significant international research priorities in maritime security, highlighting similarities and differences. Thus, it serves as a useful reference for international audiences seeking to understand Chinese research on maritime security.

PurposeGaining insights into research trends, especially in emerging fields, is vital for advancing scholarly work. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze the research front of marine economy and management.Design/methodology/approachBased on the Essential Science Indicators database of highly cited papers and the Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index database from Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, this study analyzes marine economy and management research between 2018 and 2023, using analytical tools of CiteSpace and VOSviewer.FindingsThe bibliometric analysis reveals a growing focus on green transformation, digitization and interdisciplinary collaboration in marine economy and management, with international research emphasizing decarbonization, environmental conservation and advanced technologies. Meanwhile, Chinese scholars concentrate on land-sea integration, the maritime power strategy and marine ranching, aligning closely with national strategic objectives and regional development needs. The comparative perspective underscores both global convergences in blue economy research – such as low-carbon innovation and marine resource management – and regionally specific concerns, suggesting ample scope for cross-learning and further integration of cutting-edge technologies with policy frameworks. The United States, China and the UK are identified as major research centers in marine economy and management. However, there is room for improvement in research collaboration between countries and international research institutions.Originality/valuePerform a statistical analysis, a keyword co-occurrence analysis and a cooperative institution network analysis of the marine economy and management literature.

PurposeThis study is of great significance in revealing the interactive and coordinated relationship between tourism development and the ecological environment, improving the level of environmental governance in the process of tourism economic development and realising the dual-carbon goal and sustainable development of the tourism industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper performs slack-based measure (SBM)-data envelopment analysis (DEA) analysis, benchmark regression and threshold effect measurement on a sample of 277 cities in China from 2011 to 2019, to estimate the impact of the digital economy on tourism eco-efficiency and to identify the moderating role of environmental regulation.FindingsChina’s tourism eco-efficiency shows a spatio-temporal characteristic of steady growth amid fluctuations. The digital economy has a positive facilitating effect on tourism eco-efficiency, which is non-linear with a single threshold effect (0.631), and when the level of the digital economy exceeds the threshold value, its facilitating effect increases from 0.696 to 0.927. Environmental regulation does not play the role of “the icing on the cake” during the digital economy’s impact on tourism eco-efficiency.Originality/valueThis study for the first time includes the digital economy, eco-efficiency and environmental regulation in the research perspective, and analysed the mechanism of action between the three, expanding the depth of research on the digital economy and environmental regulation in the field of tourism. Meanwhile, based on the development needs of policy specialisation and industrial refinement, this study has strong practical significance when conducted at the city level.

PurposeThe study aims to assess marine biodiversity security, which is closely linked to a healthy planet and societal well-being. It defines marine biodiversity security, identifies threats such as climate change, marine debris and invasive species and explores mechanisms impacting this security to aid in achieving Aichi Targets and enhancing ecological sustainability.Design/methodology/approachUsing spatial statistical methods, the research analyzes the temporal and spatial distribution of marine biodiversity. It provides a comprehensive multi-layered perspective on the current state of global marine biodiversity, facilitating the identification of threats and the understanding of their mechanisms.FindingsThe findings indicate significant threats to marine biodiversity, with an emphasis on climate change, marine debris and invasive species. The report reveals the spatial distribution of endangered species and underscores the need for urgent actions to address these threats and improve marine biodiversity security globally.Originality/valueThis report serves as a critical reference for promoting healthy, productive marine biodiversity that supports societal welfare. It underscores the importance of establishing a protective framework for marine biodiversity, contributing to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze the current situation of the competitiveness development of China’s marine industrial clusters, reveal the existing problems and challenges, provide theoretical support and practical guidance for improving the competitiveness of China’s marine industrial clusters so as to promote industrial upgrading and high-quality development and help China realize the strategic transformation from a marine power to a marine power.Design/methodology/approachThis report first provides a detailed review of the current development status and existing issues of marine industry clusters in China. Second, it constructs an evaluation index system for the competitiveness development of China’s marine industry clusters and conducts competitiveness analysis and evaluation of typical marine industry clusters in China. Third, it explores the development trends and prospects of typical marine industry clusters in China. Finally, the report proposes countermeasures and suggestions for enhancing the competitiveness of marine industry clusters in China, focusing on resource optimization, cluster structure and cluster efficiency.Findings(1) Significant competitiveness of marine shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment clusters: Through technological innovation and policy support, the marine shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment clusters have shown a marked improvement in competitiveness, advancing toward high-quality development despite facing macroeconomic fluctuations. (2) Continuous improvement in marine energy and offshore wind power clusters: The competitiveness of marine energy and offshore wind power clusters has been continuously enhanced under supportive policies. However, there is still a need to optimize resource allocation and strengthen innovation stability to meet market challenges. (3) Strong growth potential of desalination and comprehensive utilization clusters: The desalination and comprehensive utilization clusters demonstrate robust growth potential in technological innovation and regional collaborative development. Future efforts should focus on the application of environmentally friendly and energy-saving technologies to ensure a balance between economic and ecological benefits.Originality/valueBy strengthening the competitiveness of industrial clusters, China can effectively respond to international competition, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the marine industry and support its transition from a maritime power to a strong maritime nation. Hence, this study will focus on analyzing the competitiveness development of China’s marine industry clusters, identifying existing problems and challenges and providing theoretical support and practical guidance for enhancing the competitiveness of China’s marine industry clusters.

PurposeIn this study, suggestions on the protection and development of marine resources, sea area use and management, improvement of laws and regulations, monitoring of marine resources and impact assessment of marine environment are put forward.Design/methodology/approachLiterature research method.FindingsA major factor contributing to the decline in fishery resources is excessive fishing. At present, there are many problems to be solved in the exploitation and utilization of marine mineral resources in China. The pollution problem of marine tourism resources is becoming increasingly serious. Overmining of coastal sea resources has led to planning and management failures.Originality/valueThis paper discusses the current situation of marine resource exploitation and protection in China and analyzes the reasons for excessive resource exploitation from three aspects of marine concept, laws and regulations and marine management.

PurposeMangrove forests are one of the most bio-diverse and productive wetland environments on earth. However, these unique tropical forest environments that occupy coastal areas are among the most threatened habitats globally. These threats include logging, conversion of land for agriculture and mariculture and degradation due to pollution over the past 50 years. The large population of resilient mangroves occupying the Turneffe Atoll area in Belize faces growing anthropogenic threats such as permanent clearing of land for housing, infrastructural development and pollution and natural factors (climate change). Given the few formal studies done to evaluate mangrove resilience at Turneffe Atoll, the purpose of this study was to evaluate mangrove resilience and nursery functions in the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve (TAMR).Design/methodology/approachMangrove fish abundance and forest structure was assessed by means of a visual census and the point-centred quarter method (PCQM) for 11 sites that span across conservation and general use zones.FindingsThis study found that the more resilient mangroves (lower vulnerability ranks, higher standing biomass and higher fish biomass and abundance) exist in general use zones and warrant the need for improved mangrove conservation measures for these areas by Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA).Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the methods for data collection included accessibility within mangrove forests stands when establishing PCQM, observer bias among data collectors, sites without surrounding mangroves were not captured to serve as a true control group and poor visibility underwater affected the estimation of fish species and size. The timeline for this research was only three months based on available funding, and no follow-up study was done to make a true comparison.Originality/valueThe findings of this research have a guiding role in the formulation of conservation measures such as better waste management, a robust framework for mangrove management, a communication strategy to guide public awareness and long-term monitoring surveys.

PurposeThis paper explores whether fintech paves the way for the transition to carbon neutrality in the context of China’s climate policy uncertainty (CCPU) and the influence of the ocean carbon sink market.Design/methodology/approachWe apply a novel wavelet analysis technique to investigate the time-frequency dependence between the CCPU index, the CSI (China Securities Index) Fintech Theme Index (CFTI) and the Carbon Neutral Concept Index (CNCI).FindingsThe empirical results show that CCPU and CFTI have a detrimental effect on CNCI in high-frequency bands. Furthermore, in low-frequency domains, the development of CFTI can effectively promote the realization of carbon neutrality.Practical implicationsOur findings show that information from the CCPU and CFTI can be utilized to forecast the movement of CNCI. Therefore, the government should strike a balance between fintech development and environmental regulation and, hence, promote the use of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, facilitating the orderly and regular development of the ocean carbon sink market.Originality/valueThe development of high-quality fintech and positive climate policy reforms are crucial for achieving carbon neutrality targets and promoting the growth of the marine carbon sink market.