A court in Qingdao, Shandong province, has ordered a fisherman to provide compensation for the illegal harvesting of precious shellfish by purchasing marine carbon credits, marking an innovative approach to ecological restoration.

The case dates back to June 2022, when the fisherman surnamed Zhang and six crew members illegally harvested 7,955 kilograms of pen shells (Atrina pectinata), a protected marine species in Chinese coastal waters, with an estimated value of 120,000 yuan ($16,681).

In January 2024, the Qingdao People's Procuratorate filed a lawsuit demanding Zhang either repair the damaged marine ecosystem or cover remediation costs.

In its May 2024 verdict, the Qingdao Maritime Court ruled that Zhang must pay 381,195 yuan to offset ecological losses by financing marine blue carbon sequestration projects, alongside an additional 10,000 yuan for environmental assessment fees.

Judges said that the judgment represents an application of blue carbon credits as judicial restitution for marine resource damage, emphasizing that this method not only addresses ecological harm but also pursues China's dual-carbon goals.

The case was among 10 exemplary maritime rulings released by the court on June 6, highlighting its role in advancing ocean governance, biodiversity protection, and low-carbon development.

According to the court, it has handled 537 marine environmental cases in recent years, focusing on environmental damage, pollution, invasive species, and green industry disputes. It also adjudicated 8 public-interest lawsuits and 46 administrative cases related to marine ecology.

The court said that more efforts will be made to adapt to emerging challenges in marine conservation and sustainable development and facilitate the growth of maritime industries.