7. Safeguard Measures of Marine Environment Development in China

For almost 60 years, China has had marine protected areas (MPAs). MPAs encompass a wide range of actions specifically designed to preserve biodiversity and offer complete protection for all living within their boundaries, from national parks to fisheries reserves. Because of their ability to protect and restore marine ecosystems, increase their resilience to the effects of climate change, and reap the financial rewards of healthy marine habitats, MPAs are becoming increasingly popular worldwide [170]. Other successful area‐based conservation measures (OECMs) have also recently been recognized by international marine conservation policies as spatial zones that may not fully meet MPA requirements but provide comparative protection for biodiversity and can be used to achieve protected area objectives. Figure 7 summarizes the safeguard measures for marine environment development.

Figure 7: Safeguard measures for marine environmental development.

7.1. Marine Pasture Network Level

Enhancing the marine pasture network at the network level is crucial for promoting biodiversity and supporting the health of marine ecosystems. By strategically managing and protecting marine pastures, we can ensure the sustainability of marine life and contribute to the overall health of our oceans. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, we can elevate the network level of marine pastures to create a more resilient and thriving marine environment. Collaboration among multiple entities and the incorporation of underwater features are crucial for advancing intelligent marine pastures. Conquering numerous technical obstacles is essential to achieving rigorous benchmarks for ongoing and effective surveillance, widespread spatial reach, accurate and protected input, and evaluative management [171]. By incorporating four‐layer sub‐functions, the information network level strives to create a sensor network for fundamental sensors while integrating suitable network communication protocols and control mechanisms for scheduling [172]. The target is to verify the seamless transfer of essential data for real‐time monitoring, improve the latency performance, and conserve energy. The aggregation layer is crucial in transitioning from centralized cloud computing to edge computing, enabling quick, and accurate data analysis.

7.2. Disease Transmission in the Marine Environment

Due to the changing global environment and our growing dependence on marine ecosystems, infectious diseases are increasingly affecting certain species and have the potential to devastate entire populations [173]. These diseases often originate in wild populations, but mariculture poses a higher risk of disease and parasite transmission to wild stocks. This is due to the increased movement and frequency of environmental pathogens and potential reductions in immunity from interbreeding, resulting in billions of dollars in annual costs [174]. Effective disease management is crucial and requires collaboration and efficient information sharing as diseases can spread between wild and farmed populations, imposing financial burdens on both sectors. The likelihood of disease outbreaks is influenced by the number of wild hosts and the intensity of mariculture production [175]. While the transmission of disease from domestic to wild populations is well documented for many species, assessing the impacts at the population level remains challenging, creating a significant information gap. Marine diseases can quickly escalate into emergencies when they have significant ecological, economic, or societal impacts. Enhancing surveillance and developing and continuously refining strategies to mitigate the disease and its consequences will enable us to anticipate and effectively manage these crises [176]. Swift and accurate diagnosis, prediction of disease risks, and real‐time monitoring of environmental factors contributing to the disease spread are crucial for improving surveillance efforts.

The overuse of antibiotics in mariculture, particularly in the fish and shellfish industries, has become a growing concern. Antibiotic residue contamination and widespread antibiotic misuse are significant issues in China. According to research from the WHO, 70% of antibiotics used globally are in Asia, with China responsible for 70% of this consumption [177]. The misuse of antibiotics poses a significant threat to human health and contributes to environmental pollution. Immediate action is necessary to establish policies to regulate and reduce antibiotic misuse and to explore alternative methods to prevent illness in aquatic environments. The use of probiotics and prebiotics to mitigate diseases can be effective if supported by new research and facilitated by communication among researchers, observers, and decision makers through information‐sharing systems. Recent advancements in understanding the risks associated with marine disease may pave the way for the development of policy frameworks that promote effective management and response to marine disease emergencies.