Digital Economy and High-Quality Development of Fishery Economy: Evidence from China

The high-quality development of the fishery economy (HQDF) is crucial to ensuring the sustainable supply of aquatic products. This study first conducts a theoretical analysis of the potential impacts of the digital economy (DE) on the HQDF and explores the underlying mechanisms. By using provincial panel data of China from 2011 to 2022, comprehensive indicator systems are constructed to measure the development levels of the DE and the HQDF. A two-way fixed effects model is employed to empirically examine the impact of the DE on the HQDF, with a focus on the mediating roles of technological innovation and entrepreneurial activity. The findings reveal that the DE significantly and positively drives the fishery economy towards high-quality development, and these results remain robust across various robustness tests and endogeneity treatments. Additionally, the transmission mechanisms of technological innovation and entrepreneurial activity enhancement are empirically validated. The impact of the digital economy exhibits regional heterogeneity. This study provides a scientific basis for achieving high-quality and sustainable development in the fishery sector, suggesting that fostering the digital economy, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship should be prioritized in policy interventions.