Annual Spatial Distribution Dataset of Aquaculture Areas in the Coastal Zone of China (1986–2024)

Aquaculture is essential to global food supply and security. However, while reshaping landscapes and seascapes, the rapid expansion of coastal aquaculture in China poses potential challenges to ecosystem services and water quality. Therefore, using a multi-feature machine learning classification approach, we developed an annual spatial distribution dataset of coastal aquaculture areas in China at a national scale, spanning 39 years (1986–2024). Covering both land and marine environments, the dataset accurately distinguishes and tracks the spatiotemporal extents of land aquaculture ponds and marine aquaculture zones. This provides essential baseline data to support sustainable coastal planning and scientific management.