Abstract
<p>This study examines the illegal marine wildlife trade in Southern China, focusing on sea turtles, giant clams, and corals, to assess enforcement challenges, market dynamics, and consumer behaviors. Adopting a multi-method approach, it incorporates a comprehensive policy and regulatory review spanning 1979–2022, along with market and consumer surveys conducted before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Standardized training protocols were used for data collection, including consumer questionnaires and stakeholder interviews with a diverse range of actors. Market surveys reveal a 17.06 % decrease in the number of shops selling marine wildlife products but a 32.72 % increase in items available for sale, suggesting a concentration of trade activity. Consumer data indicate that the majority of potential buyers were aged 23–30 (38.93 %) and 31–45 (24.83 %), with 60 % identifying as female. Stakeholder interviews identify distinct supply chain nodes facilitating illegal trade across the region. Despite policy reforms and intensified enforcement at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the study finds that marine species remain vulnerable due to fragmented regulations and inconsistent enforcement across jurisdictions. Sellers continue to exploit short-term, top-down enforcement gaps, maintaining illicit trade flows and meeting persistent consumer demand. The findings underscore the resilience of illegal trade networks and the inadequacy of reactive enforcement strategies. A multi-stakeholder approach—grounded in inter-agency coordination and civic engagement—is essential. Without sustained, community-driven enforcement mechanisms, policy efforts will remain ineffective, exacerbating illegal trade and accelerating biodiversity loss in China and the wider Global South.</p>