Coastal-reliant communities have long played an essential role in sustaining the provision of blue foods, contributing significantly to global food security and marine resource management. However, with the depletion of fishery resources and the increasing risks posed by climate change, it has become ever more critical to implement sustainable practices in small-scale fisheries to ensure the long-term viability of these communities. This research investigates how coastal communities in China can navigate the challenges of the “blue transition”, a shift towards more sustainable marine resource management and livelihood strategies. By integrating data collection, field surveys, interviews, historical context analysis, and policy reviews, we examined the roles of key stakeholders, including government agencies, local community members, women in fisheries, private enterprises, and NGOs, and how their interactions shape the future of coastal development. This paper reveals key factors influencing the transition and offers actionable recommendations to ensure an equitable and inclusive blue transition that benefits both ecological conservation efforts and the socio-economic well-being of coastal populations.

Blue food,Coastal-reliant community,Blue transition