A Dynamic Simulation and Evaluation of the Coupling Coordination Degree of the Marine Economy–Resource–Environment System in China

As the scale of the marine economy continues to expand, the problems of environmental pollution and the over-exploitation of marine resources have become increasingly severe. The purpose of this study is to realize the sustainable growth of the marine economy, the rational utilization of resources, and the coordinated development of environmental protection. Method: This research first adopts the system dynamics (SD) model. It then uses the entropy method to weigh the evaluation indicators and create a coupling coordination degree (CCD) assessment simulation of the marine economic–resource–ecological environment. We use the created SD model to build and simulate four standard scenarios: current, economic, resource, and environmental. Finally, we propose suitable recommendations for the long-term development of the marine economy based on the coordination evaluation results of the CCD model. Results: Results show the following: (1) In the immediate term, the economic scenario is poorly coordinated, whereas the environmental scenario is more effectively coordinated. However, in the long-term development process, the resource scenario is reasonably well coordinated. (2) Priority attention must be given to improving the energy mix and protecting the natural environment to promote the sustainable development of the marine economy. (3) To achieve a virtuous cycle between marine economic development and environmental protection, governments, businesses, and all sectors of society need to work together to formulate and implement relevant policies and initiatives.