Evolution of Mariculture Insurance Policies in China: Review, Challenges, and Recommendations

Abstract Mariculture insurance policies issued by the government can ensure the sound development of mariculture insurance and improve risk management capacities in mariculture. In this research, content analysis has been applied to explore the evolution of mariculture insurance policies since 1982. According to the time sequence of policy promulgation, the period is divided into three stages: the attempt stage of commercial insurance (1982–1993), the exploratory stage of mutual insurance (1994–2010) and the steady development stage of policy-based mutual insurance (2011-present). Correspondingly, this study found that policy focuses have evolved from single to diverse and normative policies have been emphasized in recent years; policy release authorities have increased and cooperation between different departments has appeared; policy power has intensified. Meanwhile, Chinese mariculture insurance policies faces several challenges, including unsound legal and regulatory system, insufficient fiscal subsidies and imperfect catastrophe risk management mechanism. Therefore, improving the legal system, strengthening the supervision and management, increasing and diversifying fiscal support, providing technical and talent support and improving catastrophe risk management mechanism by the government should be paid great attention to promote the scientific development of mariculture insurance.