Is the environmental Kuznets curve related to the fishing footprint? Evidence from China

Abstract

This study tests the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis by using the fishing grounds footprint (FGF) as the environmental degradation indicator in China from 1961 to 2017. The study also uses China's total fisheries production as a control variable. Since the results of the analysis indicate a long-run relationship between the variables, we estimate the long- and short-run coefficients that present evidence for the validity of the EKC in the long-run. We find that total fisheries production has a detrimental effect on the environment. The findings of the study have important policy implications for decision-makers: Implementing a common fishing policy at the regional and global levels to stabilize the FGF and using new technologies that are harmless to the environment at every stage of fishery production processes may be beneficial for the environment. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.