Innovative approaches to marine environmental protection: Assessing the impact of community engagement, technology, and policy enforcement

Ling Peng; Hengtao Xu; Zhifu Wang

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2025396

Keywords:

marine environmental protection

community engagement

technology

policy enforcement

Abstract

Marine ecosystem is disturbed due to climate change and environmental pollutation. The marine pollution is disturbing the biodiversity in the coastal areas. It is a challenge for people living areas as they have less sustainability in marine ecosystem health. This study explores innovative approaches to marine environmental protection management, focusing on the impact of community engagement, technological innovation, and policy enforcement efficiency on sustainable marine ecosystem health. A sample of 298 respondents was collected from local community member, marine conservation professionals and policy maker was collected using survey based questionnaire. Partial least square – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyze the data. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between community engagement in marine conservation and sustainable marine ecosystem health. No significant relationship between technological innovation in marine and sustainable marine ecosystem health was found. A positive and significant relationship between policy enforcement efficiency and sustainable marine ecosystem health was found. Public awareness and education moderating role on two relationships was accepted and rejected for one relationship. The study discussed a holistic and robust understanding by providing new understanding to sustainable marine ecosystems health. The study has significant value to improve and bring sustainability in marine ecosystem which is a significant way forward to work on sustainable development goals. The practical implications on the findings of this study will contribute to improve the lives of people living in the coastal areas. This research have some future directions for scholars to improve the body of knowledge and come up with more sophisticated findings for marine ecosystem sustainability.
References
1. Abdulla, K. H., & Naser, H. A. (2021). Protection of marine environmental quality in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ocean and Coastal Management, 203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105520
2. Alam, M. W., Bhuyan, M. S., & Xiangmin, X. (2021). Protecting the Environment from Marine Pollution in Bangladesh: A Brief in Legal Aspects with Response to National and International Cooperation’s. Thalassas, 37(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-021-00347-8
3. Botetzagias, I., & Malesios, C. (2021). Do single-use facemask users’ care for the effects on the (marine) environment during the COVID-19 pandemic? Preliminary results from Greece. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112320
4. Chang, Y. C., Wang, C., Khan, M. I., & Wang, N. (2020). The legal system for environmental protection during exploration and exploitation of marine mineral resources in China. Resources Policy, 67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101670
5. Chen, X., & Qian, W. (2020). Effect of marine environmental regulation on the industrial structure adjustment of manufacturing industry: An empirical analysis of China’s eleven coastal provinces. Marine Policy, 113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103797
6. Chuah, L. F., Mokhtar, K., Bakar, A. A., Othman, M. R., Osman, N. H., Bokhari, A., Mubashir, M., Abdullah, M. A., & Hasan, M. (2022). Marine environment and maritime safety assessment using Port State Control database. Chemosphere, 304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135245
7. Copping, A. E., Hemery, L. G., Overhus, D. M., Garavelli, L., Freeman, M. C., Whiting, J. M., Gorton, A. M., Farr, H. K., Rose, D. J., & Tugade, L. G. (2020). Potential environmental effects of marine renewable energy development—the state of the science. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 8(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8110879
8. Craik, N., & Gu, K. (2022). Strategic Environmental Assessment in Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Implementing Integration. International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 37(2). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10091
9. Hair, J., Black, W., Babin, B., & Anderson, R. (2010). Multivariate Data Analysis: A Global Perspective. In Multivariate Data Analysis: A Global Perspective (Vol. 7th).
10. Hair, J., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). http://lccn.loc.gov/2016005380
11. Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8
12. Johnston, J. R., Needham, M. D., Cramer, L. A., & Swearingen, T. C. (2020). Public Values and Attitudes toward Marine Reserves and Marine Wilderness. Coastal Management, 48(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2020.1732800
13. Koban, L., Pourtois, G., Bediou, B., & Vuilleumier, P. (2012). Effects of social context and predictive relevance on action outcome monitoring. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-012-0091-0
14. Kriegl, M., Elías Ilosvay, X. E., von Dorrien, C., & Oesterwind, D. (2021). Marine Protected Areas: At the Crossroads of Nature Conservation and Fisheries Management. In Frontiers in Marine Science (Vol. 8). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676264
15. Kumar, L., Afzal, M. S., & Ahmad, A. (2022). Prediction of water turbidity in a marine environment using machine learning: A case study of Hong Kong. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2022.102260
16. Liu, B., Gong, M., Wu, X., & Liu, X. (2021). A comprehensive model of vessel anchoring pressure based on machine learning to support the sustainable management of the marine environments of coastal cities. Sustainable Cities and Society, 72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103011
17. Manasbay, A., Beisengaliyev, B., Turekulova, A., Kurmankulova, N., & Turekulova, D. (2021). Impact of the marine transport system and public administration on the environmental protection. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v12.3(51).05
18. Murad, M., Othman, S. B., & Kamarudin, M. A. I. B. (2024a). Entrepreneurial University Input, Process, and Output Support for Student Entrepreneurship: Growing Innovation through University Programs. Journal of the Knowledge Economy.
19. Murad, M., Othman, S. B., & Kamarudin, M. A. I. B. (2024b). Entrepreneurial university support and entrepreneurial career: the directions for university policy to influence students’ entrepreneurial intention and behavior. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, 13(3), 441-467.
20. Nwuzor, I. C., Idumah, C. I., Nwanonenyi, S. C., & Ezeani, O. E. (2021). Emerging trends in self-polishing anti-fouling coatings for marine environment. Safety in Extreme Environments, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42797-021-00031-3
21. Onyena, A., Aniche, D., Ogbolu, B., Rakib, M., Uddin, J., & Walker, T. (2021). Governance Strategies for Mitigating Microplastic Pollution in the Marine Environment: A Review. Microplastics, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1010003
22. Pang, H., Feng, Y., An, J., Chen, P., Han, J., Jiang, T., & Wang, Z. L. (2021). Segmented Swing-Structured Fur-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Blue Energy toward Marine Environmental Applications. Advanced Functional Materials, 31(47). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202106398
23. Peng, D., Yang, Q., Yang, H. J., Liu, H., Zhu, Y., & Mu, Y. (2020). Analysis on the relationship between fisheries economic growth and marine environmental pollution in China’s coastal regions. Science of the Total Environment, 713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136641
24. Pirsaheb, M., Hossini, H., & Makhdoumi, P. (2020). Review of microplastic occurrence and toxicological effects in marine environment: Experimental evidence of inflammation. In Process Safety and Environmental Protection (Vol. 142). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2020.05.050
25. Qu, F., Li, W., Dong, W., Tam, V. W. Y., & Yu, T. (2021). Durability deterioration of concrete under marine environment from material to structure: A critical review. In Journal of Building Engineering (Vol. 35). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102074
26. Ren, W., & Ji, J. (2021). How do environmental regulation and technological innovation affect the sustainable development of marine economy: New evidence from China’s coastal provinces and cities. Marine Policy, 128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104468
27. Sands, P. (2023). Environmental Protection in the Twenty-first Century: Sustainable Development and International Law. In The Global Environment. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003421368-8
28. Shih, Y. C., Chen, W. C., Chen, T. A. P., & Chang, C. W. (2023). The development of ocean governance for marine environment protection: Current legal system in Taiwan. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1106813
29. Tian, L., Yin, Y., Bing, W., & Jin, E. (2021). Antifouling Technology Trends in Marine Environmental Protection. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-021-0017-z
30. Turnbull, J. W., Johnston, E. L., & Clark, G. F. (2021). Evaluating the social and ecological effectiveness of partially protected marine areas. Conservation Biology, 35(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13677
31. Veedu, K. K., Mohan, S., Somappa, S. B., & Gopalan, N. K. (2022). Eco-friendly anticorrosive epoxy coating from Ixora leaf extract: A promising solution for steel protection in marine environment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130750
32. Willaert, K. (2020). Effective Protection of the Marine Environment and Equitable Benefit Sharing in the Area: Empty Promises or Feasible Goals? Ocean Development and International Law, 51(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2020.1737444
33. Wu, F., Cui, F., & Liu, T. (2023). The influence of environmental regulation on high-quality development of marine economy from different subjects’ perspectives. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1107666
34. Xing, H., Cao, X., & Su, Z. (2022). The rule of law for marine environmental governance in maritime transport: China’s experience. In Frontiers in Marine Science (Vol. 9). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1083420
35. Ye, F., Quan, Y., He, Y., & Lin, X. (2021). The impact of government preferences and environmental regulations on green development of China’s marine economy. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2020.106522
36. Zhang, L., & Zhang, Z. (2020). On the Criminal Law Protection of the Marine Ecological Environment. Journal of Marine Science, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.30564/jms.v2i2.1734

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Peng, L., Xu, H., & Wang, Z. (2025). Innovative approaches to marine environmental protection: Assessing the impact of community engagement, technology, and policy enforcement. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(8), 2025396. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025396

[1] Abdulla, K. H., & Naser, H. A. (2021). Protection of marine environmental quality in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ocean and Coastal Management, 203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105520

[2] Alam, M. W., Bhuyan, M. S., & Xiangmin, X. (2021). Protecting the Environment from Marine Pollution in Bangladesh: A Brief in Legal Aspects with Response to National and International Cooperation’s. Thalassas, 37(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-021-00347-8

[3] Botetzagias, I., & Malesios, C. (2021). Do single-use facemask users’ care for the effects on the (marine) environment during the COVID-19 pandemic? Preliminary results from Greece. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112320

[4] Chang, Y. C., Wang, C., Khan, M. I., & Wang, N. (2020). The legal system for environmental protection during exploration and exploitation of marine mineral resources in China. Resources Policy, 67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101670

[5] Chen, X., & Qian, W. (2020). Effect of marine environmental regulation on the industrial structure adjustment of manufacturing industry: An empirical analysis of China’s eleven coastal provinces. Marine Policy, 113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103797

[6] Chuah, L. F., Mokhtar, K., Bakar, A. A., Othman, M. R., Osman, N. H., Bokhari, A., Mubashir, M., Abdullah, M. A., & Hasan, M. (2022). Marine environment and maritime safety assessment using Port State Control database. Chemosphere, 304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135245

[7] Copping, A. E., Hemery, L. G., Overhus, D. M., Garavelli, L., Freeman, M. C., Whiting, J. M., Gorton, A. M., Farr, H. K., Rose, D. J., & Tugade, L. G. (2020). Potential environmental effects of marine renewable energy development—the state of the science. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 8(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8110879

[8] Craik, N., & Gu, K. (2022). Strategic Environmental Assessment in Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction: Implementing Integration. International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 37(2). https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10091

[9] Hair, J., Black, W., Babin, B., & Anderson, R. (2010). Multivariate Data Analysis: A Global Perspective. In Multivariate Data Analysis: A Global Perspective (Vol. 7th).

[10] Hair, J., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). http://lccn.loc.gov/2016005380

[11] Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8

[12] Johnston, J. R., Needham, M. D., Cramer, L. A., & Swearingen, T. C. (2020). Public Values and Attitudes toward Marine Reserves and Marine Wilderness. Coastal Management, 48(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2020.1732800

[13] Koban, L., Pourtois, G., Bediou, B., & Vuilleumier, P. (2012). Effects of social context and predictive relevance on action outcome monitoring. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-012-0091-0

[14] Kriegl, M., Elías Ilosvay, X. E., von Dorrien, C., & Oesterwind, D. (2021). Marine Protected Areas: At the Crossroads of Nature Conservation and Fisheries Management. In Frontiers in Marine Science (Vol. 8). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.676264

[15] Kumar, L., Afzal, M. S., & Ahmad, A. (2022). Prediction of water turbidity in a marine environment using machine learning: A case study of Hong Kong. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2022.102260

[16] Liu, B., Gong, M., Wu, X., & Liu, X. (2021). A comprehensive model of vessel anchoring pressure based on machine learning to support the sustainable management of the marine environments of coastal cities. Sustainable Cities and Society, 72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103011

[17] Manasbay, A., Beisengaliyev, B., Turekulova, A., Kurmankulova, N., & Turekulova, D. (2021). Impact of the marine transport system and public administration on the environmental protection. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v12.3(51).05

[18] Murad, M., Othman, S. B., & Kamarudin, M. A. I. B. (2024a). Entrepreneurial University Input, Process, and Output Support for Student Entrepreneurship: Growing Innovation through University Programs. Journal of the Knowledge Economy.

[19] Murad, M., Othman, S. B., & Kamarudin, M. A. I. B. (2024b). Entrepreneurial university support and entrepreneurial career: the directions for university policy to influence students’ entrepreneurial intention and behavior. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, 13(3), 441-467.

[20] Nwuzor, I. C., Idumah, C. I., Nwanonenyi, S. C., & Ezeani, O. E. (2021). Emerging trends in self-polishing anti-fouling coatings for marine environment. Safety in Extreme Environments, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42797-021-00031-3

[21] Onyena, A., Aniche, D., Ogbolu, B., Rakib, M., Uddin, J., & Walker, T. (2021). Governance Strategies for Mitigating Microplastic Pollution in the Marine Environment: A Review. Microplastics, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1010003

[22] Pang, H., Feng, Y., An, J., Chen, P., Han, J., Jiang, T., & Wang, Z. L. (2021). Segmented Swing-Structured Fur-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Blue Energy toward Marine Environmental Applications. Advanced Functional Materials, 31(47). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202106398

[23] Peng, D., Yang, Q., Yang, H. J., Liu, H., Zhu, Y., & Mu, Y. (2020). Analysis on the relationship between fisheries economic growth and marine environmental pollution in China’s coastal regions. Science of the Total Environment, 713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136641

[24] Pirsaheb, M., Hossini, H., & Makhdoumi, P. (2020). Review of microplastic occurrence and toxicological effects in marine environment: Experimental evidence of inflammation. In Process Safety and Environmental Protection (Vol. 142). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2020.05.050

[25] Qu, F., Li, W., Dong, W., Tam, V. W. Y., & Yu, T. (2021). Durability deterioration of concrete under marine environment from material to structure: A critical review. In Journal of Building Engineering (Vol. 35). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102074

[26] Ren, W., & Ji, J. (2021). How do environmental regulation and technological innovation affect the sustainable development of marine economy: New evidence from China’s coastal provinces and cities. Marine Policy, 128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104468

[27] Sands, P. (2023). Environmental Protection in the Twenty-first Century: Sustainable Development and International Law. In The Global Environment. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003421368-8

[28] Shih, Y. C., Chen, W. C., Chen, T. A. P., & Chang, C. W. (2023). The development of ocean governance for marine environment protection: Current legal system in Taiwan. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1106813

[29] Tian, L., Yin, Y., Bing, W., & Jin, E. (2021). Antifouling Technology Trends in Marine Environmental Protection. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-021-0017-z

[30] Turnbull, J. W., Johnston, E. L., & Clark, G. F. (2021). Evaluating the social and ecological effectiveness of partially protected marine areas. Conservation Biology, 35(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13677

[31] Veedu, K. K., Mohan, S., Somappa, S. B., & Gopalan, N. K. (2022). Eco-friendly anticorrosive epoxy coating from Ixora leaf extract: A promising solution for steel protection in marine environment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130750

[32] Willaert, K. (2020). Effective Protection of the Marine Environment and Equitable Benefit Sharing in the Area: Empty Promises or Feasible Goals? Ocean Development and International Law, 51(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2020.1737444

[33] Wu, F., Cui, F., & Liu, T. (2023). The influence of environmental regulation on high-quality development of marine economy from different subjects’ perspectives. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1107666

[34] Xing, H., Cao, X., & Su, Z. (2022). The rule of law for marine environmental governance in maritime transport: China’s experience. In Frontiers in Marine Science (Vol. 9). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1083420

[35] Ye, F., Quan, Y., He, Y., & Lin, X. (2021). The impact of government preferences and environmental regulations on green development of China’s marine economy. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2020.106522

[36] Zhang, L., & Zhang, Z. (2020). On the Criminal Law Protection of the Marine Ecological Environment. Journal of Marine Science, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.30564/jms.v2i2.1734

Abstract

References

How to cite