Utilization Of Marine Resources Research Articles

A framework for assessing the blue equity of social-ocean systems in marine governance transformation

The equitable utilization of marine resources and the maintenance of healthy and sustainable marine ecosystems are essential to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting the well-being of all humanity. In this paper, we propose a Blue Equity Assessment Framework, which is based on a systematic literature review approach and takes into account the characteristics of Social-Ocean Systems (SOSs). The framework consists of Distributional Equity, Procedural Equity, Recognitional Equity, and Contextual Equity. The aim of this framework is to conduct equity analyses of policies or behaviors within SOSs in order to assess whether blue equity is explicitly implemented and practiced in these societal norms and policy mechanisms. The assessment framework reveals that blue equity has a positive synergy for the majority of the SDGs. This synergy is analyzed in terms of its influence on the assessment dimensions of distributional justice, procedural justice, recognitional justice, and contextual justice. The findings aim to enhance societal understanding of blue equity issues, thereby guiding policymakers in the prioritization of blue equity in the development and utilization of marine resources and in the transformation of global ocean governance.

A framework for assessing the blue equity of social-ocean systems in marine governance transformation

The equitable utilization of marine resources and the maintenance of healthy and sustainable marine ecosystems are essential to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting the well-being of all humanity. In this paper, we propose a Blue Equity Assessment Framework, which is based on a systematic literature review approach and takes into account the characteristics of Social-Ocean Systems (SOSs). The framework consists of Distributional Equity, Procedural Equity, Recognitional Equity, and Contextual Equity. The aim of this framework is to conduct equity analyses of policies or behaviors within SOSs in order to assess whether blue equity is explicitly implemented and practiced in these societal norms and policy mechanisms. The assessment framework reveals that blue equity has a positive synergy for the majority of the SDGs. This synergy is analyzed in terms of its influence on the assessment dimensions of distributional justice, procedural justice, recognitional justice, and contextual justice. The findings aim to enhance societal understanding of blue equity issues, thereby guiding policymakers in the prioritization of blue equity in the development and utilization of marine resources and in the transformation of global ocean governance.

Assessing the strength of deep-sea surface ultrasoft sediments with T-bar penetration: A machine learning approach

With the expansion of marine resource utilization, geological disaster prediction, and ecological protection in deep-sea regions, accurate identification of deep-sea engineering geological environments has become paramount, highlighting the significance of understanding the mechanical characteristics of deep-sea surface ultrasoft sediments (DSUSs). However, DSUSs typically exhibit low strength, high compressibility, and significant fluidity, making sampling for indoor strength testing a challenging task. On-site testing employing a T-bar penetrometer has become increasingly prominent for assessing DSUS strength, but the complexity of influencing parameters limits the application of this valuable method. This study utilizes a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach to model the complete process of T-bar penetration into a DSUS. The aim is to understand the quantitative effects and corresponding mechanisms of various significant complex parameters, including the undrained shear strength, dimensionless penetration depth, rate effect, and interface contact condition, on the dimensionless penetration resistance coefficient. Additionally, a machine learning model based on the random forest algorithm is introduced to establish a multiparameter evaluation method for the dimensionless penetration resistance coefficient. The findings illuminate the intricate interactions and effective evaluation of these factors when evaluating DSUS strength using a T-bar penetrometer, addressing the above challenges in marine engineering geology and the environment.

PUF and Chaotic Map-Based Authentication Protocol for Underwater Acoustic Networks

A secure and effective authentication and communication scheme between users and underwater sensors plays an important role in improving the detection and utilization of marine resources in underwater acoustic networks (UANs). However, due to the energy limitations and susceptibility to capture of underwater sensors and gateways, it is necessary to design a lightweight authentication protocol that can resist capture of sensors and gateways during attacks. In this paper, a lightweight authentication protocol for UANs based on the Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) and chaotic map is proposed. We used the advantages of PUF to resist sensors and gateways being captured in attacks and the chaotic map to achieve lightweight authentication because the computational cost of the chaotic map is almost one-third that of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). Additionally, we used the formal security proof in the random oracle model to prove the security of the proposed scheme. Our scheme was more secure and efficient compared with some other related schemes in terms of security and performance requirements, and the proposed scheme is suitable for UANs.

Coastal ecological security assessment in Laizhou Bay, China: from the perspective of demographic-social-economic-natural complex ecosystem.

Assessment of ecological security is essential for understanding the status of bay ecosystem and developing appropriate management strategy. Based on the driving force-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) model, the demographic, economic, social, and ecological data of Laizhou Bay and its three neighboring counties were selected for the period from 2015 to 2021. An ecological security evaluation index system of Laizhou Bay containing 26 indicators was established, and the weights of each indicator were determined by the methods of AHP and EWM, and a comprehensive evaluation of the ecological security of Laizhou Bay was carried out by ESI. Correlations between indicators were analyzed by the Spearman's rank coefficient of correlation. The results showed that there were significant correlations between marine conditions and indicators such as population size in the surrounding area, mariculture area, industrial and domestic wastewater discharge, and treatment rate. Overall, from 2015 to 2021, the ecological security of Laizhou Bay showed a favorable trend, from a relatively unsafe level to a generally safe level, and then to a relatively safe level. Through the comprehensive evaluation of the ecological security of Laizhou Bay, we can recognize the utilization of marine resources and ecological carrying capacity, guide the rational development and utilization of marine resources, and promote the sustainable development of the marine economy.

Monitoring Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations in the Coastal Waters of Zhejiang Using Landsat-8/9 Imagery

The Zhejiang coastal waters (ZCW), which exhibit various turbidity levels, including low, medium, and high turbidity levels, are vital for regional ecological balance and sustainable marine resource utilization. Dissolved oxygen (DO) significantly affects marine organism survival and ecosystem health, yet there is limited research on remote sensing monitoring of DO in the ZCW, and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study addresses this gap by utilizing high-resolution Landsat 8/9 imagery and sea surface temperature (SST) data to develop a multiple linear regression (MLR) model for DO estimation. Compared to previous studies that utilize remote sensing band reflectance data as inputs, the results show that the red and blue bands are more suitable for establishing DO inversion models for such water bodies. The model was applied to analyze variations in the DO concentrations in the ZCW from 2013 to 2023, with a focus on Hangzhou Bay (HZB), Xiangshan Bay (XSB), Sanmen Bay (SMB), and Yueqing Bay (YQB). The temporal and spatial distributions of DO concentrations and their relationships with environmental factors, such as chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations, total suspended matter (TSM) concentrations, and thermal effluents, are analyzed. The results reveal significant seasonal fluctuations in DO concentrations, which peak in winter (e.g., 9.02 mg/L in HZB) and decrease in summer (e.g., 6.83 mg/L in HZB). Changes in the aquatic environment, particularly in the thermal effluents from the Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant (SNPP), significantly decrease coastal dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations near drainage outlets. Chl-a and TSM directly or indirectly affect DO concentrations, with notable correlations observed in XSB. This study offers a novel approach for monitoring and managing water quality in the ZCW, facilitating the early detection of potential hypoxia issues in critical zones, such as nuclear power plant heat discharge outlets.

Exploring Seasonal Variations in Fish Communities: A Study of the Yellow River Estuary and Its Adjacent Waters Using eDNA and Trawl Surveys

The Yellow River Estuary and its adjacent waters serve as crucial spawning, foraging, and nursery areas for marine organisms, possessing abundant biological resources. Monitoring fish communities provides a baseline for implementing the sustainable utilization of marine resources. In this study, data were collected from 15 spring surface and bottom sites and 17 summer surface sites using eDNA and trawl surveys. The results showed that 37, 40, and 35 fish species were detected using eDNA in the spring (surface and bottom) and summer (surface), respectively, with 38 fish species caught during summer trawling. The dominant species mainly belonged to Engraulidae of Clupeiformes in the spring and Gobiidae of Perciformes in the summer, characterized by smaller-sized, short-lived, and pelagic fish species. The summer surface communities exhibited higher diversity than the spring surface and bottom communities. NMDS analysis revealed a degree of seasonal differences in fish communities and that there may be a lack of vertical stratification in the spring communities. The pH and DO were identified as the key environmental factors affecting the fish community. Additionally, the combination of eDNA and trawl surveys was regarded as a superior survey method. Our study provides valuable information for understanding seasonal fish communities in the Yellow River Estuary and its adjacent waters, contributing to fishery resource management and conservation in the region.

Multi-source remote sensing big data mining reveals cross-regional correlation between aquaculture and Enteromorpha disaster outbreaks

ABSTRACT Marine aquaculture is one of the most important marine resource utilization types, widely distributed in seashore areas. Because mass marine aquaculture development will lead to the eutrophication disaster of macroalgae blooms (green tide), it is imperative to discover the latent relationship. Inspired by the big data analysis theory, the spatiotemporal correlation change in 2017 and 2019 of the marine aquaculture and macroalgae blooms in Jiangsu Shoal in the West of the Yellow Sea and its adjacent seas were monitored and extracted respectively based on multi-source remote sensing images. Through optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, the imaging characteristics of marine aquaculture in different growth cycles and sea conditions are analyzed. The relationship between the green tide and marine aquaculture harvest was explored from the early green algae distribution and spatiotemporal distribution changes. The earliest harvest area of marine aquaculture is the exact location of the outbreak of green tide. Along with the rapid reduction of aquaculture area, the distribution range of green tide gradually increased. The two showed opposite trends through many multi-source remote sensing data statistical analyses. Therefore, they have a strong correlation, which can be utilized to offer a significant value for the balance of marine environmental protection and resource development.

Toward better governance of the marine environment: an examination of the revision of China’s marine environmental protection law in 2023

The marine economy has become an increasingly important contributor to the global economy due to advancements in science and technology and humans’ growing ability to manipulate nature. As a country with a vast marine territory, China has the important responsibility of utilizing marine resources rationally and promoting sustainable development of the marine economy. Since the introduction of the Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (MEPL) in 1982, China has made significant progress in strengthening the legal framework for marine environmental protection. MEPL has undergone several revisions to improve its legal content under the guidance of national policies. On October 24, 2023, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress revised and adopted MEPL again. This paper analyzes the changes in the contents of the new law and the legal background at home and abroad while integrating the domestic and international legal backgrounds. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the changes made in the new law, summarizes the revision ideas, and examines the new law in the context of domestic and international laws. The aim is to provide a clear understanding of the spirit and purpose of the legislation.

Blue Carbon Ecosystems for Climate Resilience in Indonesia: A Study of Adaptation Strategy

Climate change due to global warming will have an impact on marine and coastal ecosystems, including causing loss of biodiversity and threatening the sustainability of marine and coastal resources. The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made Indonesia, which is a tropical archipelagic state as one of the hotspots that is very at risk of being affected by global warming. This risk is especially experienced by cities on the coast. Therefore the importance of adaptation, especially in dealing with the impacts of climate change that has already occurred. The adaptation process cannot be delayed any longer because the earth’s temperature will certainly increase beyond the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius in 2030 compared to the pre-Industrial Revolution temperature of 1850. Currently, the global temperature increase has reached 1.1 degrees Celsius. Therefore, Indonesia must immediately make adaptation efforts by utilizing the Blue Carbon Ecosystem which is based on research that blue carbon can absorb and store 100 times more carbon and is more permanent than forests on land. This stored carbon can be stored for thousands of years. Because of this great potential, coastal ecosystems can play many roles as adaptation solutions and mitigation of climate change impacts. Therefore researchers conduct research with the aim of the research is to create Strategies and Adaptation Efforts for Utilizing Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Disaster Resilience, Climate Crisis, and Sustainable Development, with the main target of implementing Resource Based Theory in developing strategies for utilization of Marine Resources, especially Utilization of Carbon Ecosystems Blue in Indonesian marine environment. This research is expected to provide theoretical and empirical evidence related to the development of blue ecosystem utilization strategies, climate crisis, and sustainable development.

Blue Economy from Perspective of Al-Qur'an

This research concludes that from the Al-Qur'an perspective, the maritime concept with a blue economy perspective is an integral approach, where the utilization of marine resources, which are referred to as al-Bahr and al-yam in the Al-Qur'an, needs to integrate several aspects interrelated maritime affairs. Reduction of one maritime aspect can result in ineffectiveness in dealing with the complexity of maritime problems as a whole.The framework used in this research includes the following aspects:First, Aqidah: Humans are seen as caliphs who are responsible for the universe that Allah rules. Second, Sharia: Maritime natural resource utilization activities must be in accordance with the principles of Islamic law. Third, Morals: Improvement with adaptive innovation for the efficiency of natural resources, fair distribution, and consumption that does not damage or waste natural resources.This research supports the views of several figures such as Robert Maltus, Langdon Gilkey, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Donella H. Meadow, Arne Naess, Edith Brown Weiss, and Gunter Pauli, who emphasize the need for wise management of natural resources for sustainability. The research method used is a qualitative method with the Tafsir Maudū'i (thematic) interpretation method.This research differs from the views of several figures, such as Hugo Grotius, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Immanuel Kant, and Garret Hardin, who have different views regarding natural resource management. Thus, this research proposes a holistic approach based on Islamic values in viewing and managing marine resources to achieve economic and environmental sustainability.

Exploring the Nexus between the Blue Economy and Information Technologies: A Systematic Literature Review of Information Systems in Pacific Fisheries and Aquaculture

The blue economy has garnered significant importance over the years as a major driver for sustainable economic growth in the Pacific region through the efficient utilization of marine resources. While a thorough examination of the whole gamut of information about information and communication technologies (ICT) gains momentum, establishing a cohesive perspective on pivotal findings within blue economy research, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture, becomes essential for maximizing the potential of this interdisciplinary field. Consequently, Information Systems (IS) researchers, through a comprehensive review of pertinent literature, can contribute significantly to this emerging body of knowledge. Our review, which encompasses 32 papers published from 2012 to 2022, focuses on the application of information technologies to Pacific fisheries and aquaculture. The prevailing literature enhances our understanding of the adoption and utilization of ICTs (i.e. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and satellite imaging, database management systems and other emerging technologies) within the blue economy. In this paper, we provide discussions on recent technological advancements and future research directions to encourage IS researchers to develop an effective cumulative tradition of research.

Contribution and Prospect of Marine Fisheries in the Economy of Bangladesh and Sustainable Blue Economy Challenges: A Review

Marine resources of Bangladesh are abundant, both in terms of huge sea area and its biological richness. The marine water area supports a large number of commercially important fin fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and seaweeds, offering significant economic potential due to their diversified use and high demand in the international market. Therefore, the current review comprehensively examines both the contribution and potentials of marine fisheries resources to the economy, as well as the challenges involved in marine fisheries sectors in attaining a sustainable blue economy in Bangladesh. The study revealed that, the marine fisheries plays an important role in national economy and has huge prospect in employment generation and ensuring food security of Bangladesh. The expansion of mariculture and effective utilization of marine resources will open a new window for the economic development of Bangladesh. Marine fisheries production of Bangladesh has increased over the last two decades, but its relative share in total fisheries production has declined. Despite being rich in marine living resources, commercial mariculture has been developed only for shrimp, prawn, and mud crab. Challenges hindering mariculture expansion includes limited research, technological deficiencies, inadequate skilled workforce, underdeveloped domestic seafood markets, and financial constraints. Concerted efforts including exploring new fishing grounds, conducting stock assessments, implementing scientific management strategies, enacting a national marine fisheries policy, enforcing legislation, and establishing robust surveillance and monitoring mechanisms are required to foster a sustainable blue economy in Bangladesh.

Analysis of Chinese Patents on Cathodic Protection by Applied Current Method in Marine Sector

The resource problem is the top priority of China's current development, while the ocean is an inexhaustible treasure. The development and utilization of marine resources has always been the key direction of development. The characteristics of offshore engineering operation equipment are: first, the scale of the platform is particularly large, and second, it is long-term in the harsh environment such as moisture and salinity [1]. Therefore, the anti-corrosion of offshore platforms is the research hotspot of relevant technicians, this paper systematically summarizes the patent application of external current in cathodic protection of anti-corrosion technology. It analyzes the patent type, affiliated institution, important applicant, application field and other related contents. The results show that enterprises prefer to actually invent devices, while scientific research institutions, universities and colleges are more about the creation of technical methods.

Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions in Expanding The Blue Economy in Sri Lanka: Special Reference to The Fisheries Sector

Purpose: The blue economy emphasizes the sustainable utilization of marine resources to promote economic growth, create job opportunities, and enhance livelihoods while ensuring the protection of the ocean ecosystem. The blue economy comprises a variety of activities such as fisheries, aquaculture and Mari culture, marine and coastal tourism, boat and shipbuilding, seaports and shipping, marine transportation, renewable energy, offshore hydrocarbons and minerals, and marine biotechnology. The primary objective of this research is to identify the opportunities and challenges in expanding the blue economy in Sri Lanka, with a focus on the fisheries sector.
 Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative research method was employed for data collection, using key person interviews with 20 Sri Lankan blue economy stakeholders. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.
 Findings: The study identified several opportunities, including the introduction of a sound VMS and forecasting system, technology improvement, properly trained human resources, reducing post-harvest loss, value addition to the fish, and diversification towards aquaculture and Mari culture. The study also identified challenges such as limited access to finance, lack of infrastructure, and weak governance. With the right policies and management practices in place, the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka can achieve sustainable development, contribute to the country's economic growth, and provide livelihoods for fishers and their communities.
 Originality: Though Sri Lanka is an Island, ideal for practicing the blue economy, the attention given by the scholars and practitioners to develop the sector is not sufficient. This study stands out for its thorough examination of opportunities and challenges in expanding Sri Lanka's blue economy, with a specific emphasis on the fisheries sector.
 Implications: The theoretical contribution lies in the identification of opportunities and challenges in expanding the blue economy, particularly within the fisheries sector. This research significantly contributes to guiding policymakers and stakeholders to develop strategies for the sustainable growth and management of the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka.
 Keywords: Blue Economy, Fisheries, value addition, Post-harvest loss

The first investigation of an Iron Age shell midden in Oman: The Nafūn complex

The Nafūn shell midden complex is a cluster of eight shell mounds in al-Wusṭā Governorate (south-central Oman). Located 40 km north of Duqm, the shell midden is part of a unique cultural landscape encompassing a variety of archaeological features. With a total of 207 recorded archaeological sites, the Nafūn area emerges as a significant site for studying the Early and Late Iron Age communities in south-central Oman. The first investigations of the shell midden were conducted between 2019 and 2022. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples from the site provided a date range of 1012–536 BCE (cal. 2σ), aligning with the Iron Age II (1000–600 BCE) material culture. Together with stratigraphic observations, this indicates that the midden was intermittently occupied for at least 500 years. Additional evidence indicates that there was also activity in the area during the Late Iron Age, evidenced by the presence of a large rock art site, circular stone burial mounds and numerous clusters of trilith stone monuments along the wadi Nafūn route, with a source of drinking water 3 km from the coast. Such findings underscore the importance of Nafūn as a significant site for enduring socio-economic and cultural contacts, strategically located at the mouth of the wadi that connects with the Indian Ocean. The effective utilisation of marine resources by the local communities not only supported their economic and subsistence needs but also fostered strong economic, social and cultural connections with the inland regions. Furthermore, it facilitated their active engagement in long-distance trade and interactions along the coastal areas. The unique combination of sites and the fusion of elements from both northern Oman and Dhofar make Nafūn an intriguing and, so far, undocumented intersection along the long-distance routes connecting the northern and southern cultural circles.

Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) Approach of Marine Park Tourism Destinations: A Case Study of Kapas Island Marine Park, Terengganu

Tourism in the marine park is vital to tourist satisfaction. Tourism and sustainability must be balanced in sensitive regions like marine parks. Tourist feedback helps balance and sustain marine park management. Kapas Island Marine Park (KIMP) in Terengganu receives a high number of tourists annually. The resources and the tourist experience may be adversely affected by excessive utilisation of marine resources. It may have long-term effects on the travel industry. This research has adopted an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) to scrutinise how visitors view the execution of 23 attributes of KIMP. The objective of this study is to show that various tourism attributes affect tourist satisfaction, as well as to discover the satisfaction- and dissatisfaction-generating attributes that may be found in the marine tourism experience. In addition, this research discusses how IPA may be used to influence future visitor research and management at marine park sites. The findings of this research were obtained by a questionnaire survey of 310 visitors to the KIMP during May and June 2022. The results are displayed on a grid with four quadrants; facilities are available to ensure the safety and security of the visitors (Quadrant One); attributes are already providing good service, and therefore, performance must be sustained (Quadrant Two); the fundamental amenities or necessities as seen by visitors (Quadrant Three); attributes that have a low significance score but obtained a high-performance score (Quadrant Four). These findings potentially provide a reference for thorough development strategies for a marine park tourism destination.

Effect of marine ecological compensation policy on coastal water pollution: Evidence from China based on a multiple period difference-in-differences approach

With the development and utilization of marine resources, coastal water pollution has become increasingly prominent. The marine ecological compensation (MEC) is a key measure to balance the utilization of marine resources and the protection of marine environment. This paper attempts to explore the governance effect of MEC policy on coastal water pollution. Based on panel data of coastal cities in China from 2006 to 2020, a multiple period difference-in-differences (DID) model is used to estimate the impact of MEC policy on coastal water pollution. The research results show that the coastal water pollution has decreased significantly in the polit cities after implementing the MEC policy. The governance effect of MEC policy on coastal water pollution will last for three year and cover areas within a geographical distance of 200 km. The transmission mechanisms of MEC policy on coastal water pollution are the reduction of land-based sewage, marine technological progress and optimization of industrial structure. Further, this paper provides operational suggestions for strengthening the governance effect of MEC policy on coastal water pollution.

Wild fish consumption can balance nutrient retention in farmed fish

Wild fish used as aquafeeds could be redirected towards human consumption to support sustainable marine resource use. Here we use mass-balance fish-in/fish-out ratio approaches to assess nutrient retention in salmon farming and identify scenarios that provide more nutrient-rich food to people. Using data on Norway’s salmon farms, our study revealed that six of nine dietary nutrients had higher yields in wild fish used for feeds, such as anchovies and mackerel, than in farmed salmon production. Reallocating one-third of food-grade wild feed fish towards direct human consumption would increase seafood production, while also retaining by-products for use as aquafeeds, thus maximizing nutrient utilization of marine resources.

Antioxidant, aroma, and sensory characteristics of Maillard reaction products from Urechis unicinctus hydrolysates: development of food flavorings.

To develop food flavorings with a delicious taste and an anti-oxidation effect, in this study, the glucose Maillard reaction was used for hydrolysates of Urechis unicinctus. The various biological activities of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and their antioxidant capacity were evaluated. The results showed that the unique fishy odor substances of seafood in MRPs were reduced, indicating that the Maillard reaction improved the flavor of the hydrolysate of Urechis unicinctus. Meanwhile, MRPs exhibited more competitive radical scavenging activities compared to the hydrolysate. Moreover, MRPs demonstrated a considerable potential to protect against 2,2'-Azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress in a cell model in vitro and in a zebrafish model in vivo. Finally, a novel food flavoring was produced with MRPs as raw material, while the sensory qualities were deemed acceptable. In consequence, during industrial production, MRPs of Urechis unicinctus hydrolysate act as a high-quality raw material for functional flavorings and provide an effective way for the utilization of marine resources.