Shellfish and algae mariculture make up an important part of the marine fishery carbon sink. Carbon sink research is necessary to ensure China achieves its goal of carbon neutrality. This study used the material quality assessment method to estimate the carbon sink capacity of shellfish and algae. Product value, carbon storage value, and oxygen release value were used to calculate the economic value of shellfish and algae carbon sequestration. The results showed that the annual average shellfish and algae carbon sink in China was 1.10 million tons from 2003 to 2019, of which shellfish accounted for 91.63%, wherein Crassostreagigas, Ruditapesphilippinarum, and Chlamysfarreri were the main contributors. The annual average economic value of China’s shellfish and algae carbon sequestration was USD 71,303.56 million, and the product value was the main contributor, accounting for 99.11%. The carbon sink conversion ratios of shellfish and algae were 8.37% and 5.20%, respectively, thus making shellfish the aquaculture species with the strongest carbon sink capacity and the greatest carbon sink potential. The estimated growth rate in the shellfish and algae removable carbon sink was 33,900 tons/year in China, but this trend was uncertain. The capacity for carbon sequestration and exchange by aquaculture can be improved by expanding breeding space, promoting multi-level comprehensive breeding modes, and marine artificial upwelling projects.

The blue carbon ecosystem has a strong capacity for carbon sequestration, but its research progress and development are still unclear. This study used CiteSpace to conduct a visual analysis, based on the analysis of 908 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The results showed that blue carbon research has gone through an early exploratory stage based on the scientific concept research, a research stage on the carbon sequestration process of the diverse blue carbon ecosystems, and a blue carbon protection and restoration stage based on climate change and human activities. The blue carbon theoretical framework has been continuously improved and the subject is currently more focused. The hot research topics are different at different stages. In the early stage, they focused on the types of blue carbon ecosystems and the process of carbon sequestration. Blue carbon research has developed from a single ecosystem type to multiple ecosystem types, and from concept recognition to system assessment research. Recently, research on the response, restoration and protection of blue carbon ecosystems has become a hotspot under the combined effect of human activities and climate change. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the scientific research on blue carbon, to protect the integrity of the ecosystem structure and service functions, and to make a greater contribution to the global carbon neutrality strategy.