Current and Future Potential of Shellfish and Algae Mariculture Carbon Sinks in China

Abstract

Shellfish and algae mariculture make up an important part of the marine fishery carbon sink. Carbon sink research is necessary to ensure China achieves its goal of carbon neutrality. This study used the material quality assessment method to estimate the carbon sink capacity of shellfish and algae. Product value, carbon storage value, and oxygen release value were used to calculate the economic value of shellfish and algae carbon sequestration. The results showed that the annual average shellfish and algae carbon sink in China was 1.10 million tons from 2003 to 2019, of which shellfish accounted for 91.63%, wherein Crassostreagigas, Ruditapesphilippinarum, and Chlamysfarreri were the main contributors. The annual average economic value of China’s shellfish and algae carbon sequestration was USD 71,303.56 million, and the product value was the main contributor, accounting for 99.11%. The carbon sink conversion ratios of shellfish and algae were 8.37% and 5.20%, respectively, thus making shellfish the aquaculture species with the strongest carbon sink capacity and the greatest carbon sink potential. The estimated growth rate in the shellfish and algae removable carbon sink was 33,900 tons/year in China, but this trend was uncertain. The capacity for carbon sequestration and exchange by aquaculture can be improved by expanding breeding space, promoting multi-level comprehensive breeding modes, and marine artificial upwelling projects.

The Connections between Mussel Watch for Potentially Toxic Metals and Nexus Seafood-Water-Energy

“…It also considered biomonitoring and health risk assessments via assessments in terms of safety guidelines, target hazard quotient of PTMs, and comparison to provisional tolerable weekly intake of PTMs, of the mussel resources along the chain (Figure 1). This knowledge can help the mussel seafood industry supply chain attain sustainability via cogent policymaking and management with the concept of Nexus food-energy-water [10][11][12][13].…”

Lower Health Risks of Potentially Toxic Metals after Transplantation of Aquacultural Farmed Mussels from a Polluted Site to Unpolluted Sites: A Biomonitoring Study in the Straits of Johore

“…Food, energy, and water are essential economic inputs and a requirement for economic development [93]. One significant component of the marine fisheries' carbon sink is the cultivation of shellfish and algae [94]. Food, energy, and water are crucial resources for human survival and national growth, The main type of aquaculture used in interior regions is coastal aquaculture, where pollution is a major problem.…”

Evaluation and Determinants of the Digital Inclusive Financial Support Efficiency for Marine Carbon Sink Fisheries: Evidence from China

“…On this basis, Lai et al (2022) took nine coastal provinces in China as the research samples and used the material quality assessment method to estimate the biological carbon sink capacity of marine algae and shellfish [ 20 ]. Wu and Li (2022) quantitatively measured the current marine carbon sink capacity generated by the marine industry in ten coastal provinces (autonomous regions) in China from 2008 to 2019 and analyzed its spatio-temporal evolution characteristics from the national and provincial perspectives [ 21 ].…”