<p>Amid global reforms in marine governance and increasing demands for the preservation of cultural diversity, the protection of marine intangible cultural heritage (ICH) represents a vital repository of traditional knowledge developed through centuries of human interaction with marine ecosystems. It embodies four core values: transmission of conventional knowledge, maintenance of belief systems, artistic expression, and social cohesion. Despite China’s extensive coastline and rich marine cultural heritage, significant gaps remain in the legal framework for marine ICH protection. These deficiencies include inadequate protection for inheritors’ rights, inefficient educational support systems, and insufficient legal standards for digital preservation. Furthermore, institutional fragmentation, particularly in cross-departmental governance-disrupts cultural transmission and diminishes public awareness. To address these challenges, three key measures are proposed: establishing tiered protections for inheritors’ rights, integrating marine ICH into national education policies, and developing comprehensive digital preservation strategies. The proposed solutions include the implementation of technical standards for documentation and the creation of inter-agency coordination mechanisms for marine ICH protection. This integrated approach aims to harmonize the preservation of traditional marine culture with modern governance technologies.</p>