Deep-sea polymetallic nodules are associated with rich rare substances, such as rare-earth elements (REEs), Mo, Ti, Te, Li, which are currently in demand and are used in various applications. Deep-sea sediments near nodules are another important source of REEs, which will increase the resource potential of polymetallic nodules. Given the similarity of the mining technologies for deep-sea REEs and polymetallic nodules, this study proposed environmentally friendly mining options and developed a technoeconomic evaluation model by combining deep-sea polymetallic nodules and REEs. Using the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone as an example, this study revealed that the development of polymetallic nodules together with REEs of nearby sediments in the form of by-products will improve the economic and environmental benefits. In addition, the effects of discount rate, cost, and price on the economic benefits of nodule mining were discussed, and a technical development direction was proposed based on scientific and technological needs.

Marine innovation, as a fundamental driving force behind the development of the marine economy, is crucial for the realization of the maritime power strategy. The reports from the 19th and 20th National Congresses of the Communist Party of China explicitly advocate for the acceleration of maritime power construction and emphasize the innovation-driven development strategy. Marine innovation and the resilience of the marine economy dynamically interact and mutually reinforce one another. Investigating the coordination between marine innovation and the resilience of the marine economy can provide theoretical support for regional marine technological innovation and sustainable economic development, thereby facilitating the achievement of innovation-driven development goals. This article establishes an evaluation index system for regional marine innovation capacity, considering two perspectives: marine innovation input and output. Additionally, it constructs an evaluation index system for marine economic resilience, which is based on three dimensions: resistance, robustness, and recovery. The entropy weight TOPSIS method is employed to calculate the sub-indices for China’s regional marine technological innovation capacity and marine economic resilience. Furthermore, a coordination degree and coordinated development degree model is developed to assess the coordination and development of marine innovation capacity and economic resilience across 11 coastal provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in China from 2013 to 2022. The research results indicate that from 2013 to 2022, the coordination degree of marine innovation capacity and economic resilience in the 11 coastal provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) of China has exhibited a positive development trend. The southern and eastern economic circles display synchronized development patterns, with the southern economic circle experiencing the fastest improvements, while the northern economic circle shows slight regression. The marginal contribution of this study lies in the integration of marine innovation capacity and economic resilience for the first time, further exploring the degree of coordinated development based on coordination degree and providing a systematic analysis of the coordinated development of regional marine innovation and economic resilience from the perspectives of individual provinces and economic circles.