How can competitiveness be maintained in deep-sea environments? Typical business model innovation and competitive strategies of marine aquaculture enterprises in China

Offshore aquaculture has advanced rapidly in recent years, with China leading in both the number of projects and capacity. Field investigations show that most offshore aquaculture enterprises in China adopt innovative operating models that differ from those nearshore aquaculture enterprises. This study takes cage farming enterprises as case studies and combines qualitative and quantitative data to analyze the characteristics of offshore aquaculture in terms of natural conditions and production costs. Four innovative operating models are identified: import substitution, wildization, temporary cultivation, and fishery-tourism integration. These models arise from the distinctive natural conditions of deep-sea areas, where high production costs and resource advantages prompt enterprises to adopt innovative strategies and differentiate themselves from nearshore competitors. Enabled by cage farming technology, the case enterprises identify potential market opportunities embedded in of deep-sea conditions, including arbitrage and innovation opportunities, and apply different resource innovation approaches, exploration and exploitation. These efforts yield four business model innovation strategies: element substitution, product innovation, capacity expansion, and format innovation. Across China’s offshore production settings, these strategies correspond to the four operating models observed in the cases. This study clarifies the economic characteristics and development patterns of offshore aquaculture and provides implications for firm strategy and aquaculture policy design. • Offshore aquaculture in China diverges from local nearshore farming via new species, operating models, and business lines. • High offshore costs make nearshore models uncompetitive; heterogeneous offshore resources enable innovation. • A two-axis framework (opportunity identification and resource innovation) explains the diversity of offshore innovations.