Blue Carbon Estimation and Total Factor Productivity Evolution in China’s Marine Fisheries Industry

Marine carbon sinks are an important pathway for mitigating climate change within marine ecosystems. As a part of blue carbon, shellfish and algae carbon sinks play a crucial role in carbon absorption and storage. This paper estimates the shellfish and algae carbon sinks in nine coastal provinces of China from 2005 to 2020. Based on fisheries input-output indicators, the study uses an enhanced DEA-SBM model to calculate the total factor productivity (TFP) of fisheries in these regions. Based on the findings, policy recommendations for blue carbon development and the green, low-carbon development of fisheries are proposed. The results show: (1) From 2005 to 2020, marine carbon sinks from shellfish and algae exhibited a steady increase, with shellfish accounting for a larger share of the carbon sink. (2) Spatially, Shandong Province experienced the highest growth in carbon sinks, while Fujian, Hainan and Zhejiang Province showed a decline. (3) Between 2005 and 2020, the total factor productivity of marine fisheries in the nine coastal provinces fluctuated, with a rebound observed by 2020.