By quantitatively analyzing the spatial distribution and evolution of the shellfish industry, to provide a basis for the optimization of industrial space and promote the sustainable growth of the shellfish industry and the coordinated development of the regional economy. Taking the Marine shellfish aquaculture industry as the research object and based on the standard elliptic model, the spatial evolution pattern (agglomeration degree, center of gravity, scope, direction), characteristics and trends of the shellfish industry in coastal provinces from 2002 to 2022 were analyzed. The research shows that: (1) The spatial evolution of the domestic shellfish industry generally presents spatial agglomeration. Among them, it showed spatial agglomeration from 2002 to 2012, and was manifested as dispersion from 2012 to 2022. (2) The center of gravity of the shellfish industry shows a slow and slight shift from south to north in space. The main reasons are the slowdown in the growth rate of output in Fujian, the decline in output in Guangdong, and the steady increase in output in Shandong, Liaoning and Hebei. (3) The evolution direction of the spatial pattern of the sub-sectors shows obvious heterogeneity, which is basically consistent with the industrial reality that the local resource endowments suitable for each sub-sector of shellfish are quite different. (4) From 2002 to 2022, the density of the shellfish industry increased from 7.39 to 11.83. This indicates that the development of China's shellfish industry has become more scientific and refined, and the industrial efficiency has improved significantly. Based on the advantages of resource endowment, the spatial layout of the shellfish industry can be optimized and the industrial efficiency can be enhanced.