Before and beyond the pandemic: Dynamics of illegal marine wildlife trade in Southern China amidst policy shifts and enforcement efforts

This study examines the illegal marine wildlife trade in Southern China, focusing on sea turtles, giant clams, and corals, to assess enforcement challenges, market dynamics, and consumer behaviors. Adopting a multi-method approach, it incorporates a comprehensive policy and regulatory review spanning 1979–2022, along with market and consumer surveys conducted before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Standardized training protocols were used for data collection, including consumer questionnaires and stakeholder interviews with a diverse range of actors. Market surveys reveal a 17.06% decrease in the number of shops selling marine wildlife products but a 32.72% increase in items available for sale, suggesting a concentration of trade activity. Consumer data indicate that the majority of potential buyers were aged 23–30 (38.93%) and 31–45 (24.83%), with 60% identifying as female. Stakeholder interviews identify distinct supply chain nodes facilitating illegal trade across the region. Despite policy reforms and intensified enforcement at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the study finds that marine species remain vulnerable due to fragmented regulations and inconsistent enforcement across jurisdictions. Sellers continue to exploit short-term, top-down enforcement gaps, maintaining illicit trade flows and meeting persistent consumer demand. The findings underscore the resilience of illegal trade networks and the inadequacy of reactive enforcement strategies. A multi-stakeholder approach—grounded in inter-agency coordination and civic engagement—is essential. Without sustained, community-driven enforcement mechanisms, policy efforts will remain ineffective, exacerbating illegal trade and accelerating biodiversity loss in China and the wider Global South.