Blue Carbon Food: the logic and pathways of carbon sink function leading the high-quality transformation of mariculture

Under the guidance of the "dual carbon" goals, promoting the synergistic development of economic growth and climate governance requires not only adhering to traditional emission reduction but also actively fostering emerging carbon sink industries as a vital strategic complement. To overcome the bottleneck hindering the synergistic realization of marine economic value and fishery ecological benefits, this study systematically reviews the theoretical framework of fishery carbon sinks and recent advances in understanding the carbon sink contributions of shellfish and macroalgae aquaculture. On this basis, this study propose an innovative concept-"Blue Carbon Food (BCF)"-oriented toward carbon sink enhancement, specifically the promotion of sedimentary recalcitrant organic carbon burial. Guided by the "MRVT" principles (Measurable, Reportable, Verifiable, and Tradable), this study further construct an evaluation framework for BCF that embeds carbon sink functions into the food consumption chain, thereby establishing a closed-loop pathway from ecological function to market value. In response to the major challenges confronting the development of BCF, including the lack of a broad consensus on carbon sink assessment, incomplete measurement standards, insufficient technologies for carbon sink enhancement, low market awareness, and a shortage of interdisciplinary professionals. There are five implementation pathways that deepening fundamental research on carbon sink mechanisms while promoting the inclusion of shellfish and macroalgae aquaculture into the international blue carbon system; establishing a dynamic, full-chain carbon sink measurement standard system; implementing a "Fine Breed-Ecology-Measurement" trinity technological breakthrough; establishing a multi-party synergistic value realization mechanism; and fostering the cultivation of interdisciplinary talent. Collectively, this study provides both theoretical underpinnings and practical guidance for expanding the frontiers of blue carbon development, realizing the value of marine ecological products, and facilitating the green and low-carbon transition of mariculture.