New marine productivity empowers green development of the marine economy: Theoretical mechanism and empirical evidence

New marine productivity is important in building a strong marine economy. Based on data from 11 provincial administrative regions in China's coastal areas from 2007 to 2021, we examine new marine productivity and green total factor productivity using a dynamic panel, mechanism test, and panel threshold model to determine the impact of new marine productivity on green development of the Chinese marine economy. We find that new marine productivity significantly promoted green development of the marine economy, and this promotional effect differed by region and level of new marine productivity. Three mechanisms were at work: promotion of technology, optimization of the industrial structure, and increased capital. The threshold effects of these latter two mechanisms influenced the impact of new marine productivity on green development of the Chinese marine economy. The higher the values for industrial structure and increased capital, the more obvious the positive spillover effect of new marine productivity on green development of the marine economy. The results of this study can support China in green development of its marine economy.