A study on the agglomeration characteristics of the scallop aquaculture industry in China

Scallops are economically important shellfish widely cultured in China. In this study, the agglomeration characteristics of the scallop aquaculture industry in Chinese coastal provinces were explored based on data from the China Fishery Statistical Yearbook from 2012 to 2020 and the comparative advantage and concentration level of the scallop breeding industry. The data were analyzed using the comprehensive relative advantage index, location entropy, and industrial concentration degree method. Two main results revealed that Hebei Province had the highest comparative advantage in terms of efficiency, followed by Fujian, Guangdong, Shandong, Guangxi, Liaoning, and Zhejiang Provinces. Hebei Province had the highest comparative advantage in scale, followed by Liaoning, Shandong, Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, and Zhejiang Provinces. Additionally, the scallop cultivation industry in Hebei, Shandong, and Liaoning Provinces showed a high concentration, and the proportion of scallop production in the national production (CR4) in the three provinces, as well as in Guangdong, accounted for more than 99% year-round. Overall, Hebei, Shandong, and Liaoning Provinces had a comparative advantage in scale, comprehensive comparative advantage, and industrial agglomeration.