Marine traditional Chinese medicine (MTCM), as an important component of the traditional Chinese medicine system, has long been utilized for disease prevention, therapy, and health maintenance due to its unique biological origins and diverse pharmacological properties. China possesses abundant and distinctive marine biological resources, with more than 700 verifiable marine medicinal materials recorded in classical literature, including algae, shellfish, fish, and marine minerals, indicating substantial developmental potential. However, compared with terrestrial traditional Chinese medicines, the modernization of MTCM has started relatively late. Significant gaps remain in resource investigation, pharmacological interpretation, quality control systems, processing technologies, innovative product development, and industrial chain construction. Based on a systematic analysis, this review identifies four major scientific challenges currently hindering the development of MTCM: First, insufficient modern research and inadequate transformation of traditional knowledge. Second, low resource utilization efficiency, accompanied by ecological pressure and endangerment risks. Third, a predominant focus on chemical isolation with limited integration of traditional Chinese medical theory. Fourth, a shortage of high-level interdisciplinary talent and weak innovation systems. To address these bottlenecks, this study propose an integrated development framework spanning “resources-pharmacology-quality-processing-products-industry”. Key strategies include comprehensive resource surveys and database construction, integration of traditional medicinal theory with modern pharmacology, establishment of quality markers and safety evaluation systems, development of advanced processing and extraction technologies, and innovation in formulations and health products. Furthermore, phased development goals for MTCM are proposed. In the short term, priorities include resource investigation, standard system establishment, and efficacy evaluation. In the long term, efforts should focus on building a complete industrial chain and an internationalized research and development system to achieve large-scale industrialization and global expansion. Overall, MTCM holds significant promise under the “Healthy China 2030” initiative and within the global health industry. Through systematic planning and collaborative innovation, it is expected to advance toward systematization, modernization, and internationalization.

marine traditional Chinese medicine  /  traditional Chinese medicine modernization  /  resource utilization  /  quality control  /  industrial development