The research institute has a second level discipline of marine economy under the first level discipline of applied economics. Ocean economics is an economic discipline that studies the optimal allocation of ocean resources and the laws of ocean economic activities and development, including micro level ocean economics and macro level ocean economics. Specifically, ocean economics is a comprehensive applied discipline based on economic theory, utilizing mathematical, statistical, management, marine science and other theoretical methods to establish quantitative relationship models in the field of ocean economy. It analyzes and studies a series of complex problems with stochastic characteristics in the field of ocean economy, reveals changes in ocean economic productivity, production relations and development laws, and provides scientific basis and optimization solutions for the planning, organization, management, decision-making and control of ocean economy.

Marine economics has typical interdisciplinary characteristics. Mainly based on economic science, it involves marine science, atmospheric science, environmental science, systems science, information science, control science, as well as management science, mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, law and many other disciplines. 

The main research areas and directions of the discipline of "Ocean Economics" are:

1. Evaluation of marine economic policies and quantitative analysis of investment and financing. Specifically, it includes three research contents: (1) Big data analysis and modeling of marine economy. (2) Analysis and Evaluation of Marine Economic Policies. (3) Quantitative analysis of investment and financing in marine economy.

2. Sustainable development of marine economy and protection of resources and environment. Specifically, it includes three research contents: (1) High quality development of marine economy. (2) Marine ecology, resources, and environmental protection and utilization. (3) Land sea coordination and marine industry development plan.

3. Monitoring and early warning of marine economy and global ocean governance. Specifically, it includes three research topics: (1) Marine disasters and risk management. (2) Monitoring and early warning of marine economic security. (3) Climate change and global ocean governance.