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Editorial report2002 was a very good year for the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research (NZJMFR). The journal received a very high number of submissions, all issues of Volume 36 were published on schedule, and publication times for papers were reduced. The Editorial Advisory Board met for the first time and a strategic plan for the journal was developed. Papers submitted in 2002In 2002, the journal received 110 submissions, of which 81% were from New Zealand researchers and the remainder by authors from Australia, Chile, China, Argentina, Canada, India, and Japan. Contributions from relevant research institutions in New Zealand as a percentage of the total were: the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited (39%); University of Otago (17%); Department of Conservation (4%); Cawthron Institute (4%); The University of Auckland (3%); University of Canterbury (3%); and Massey University (3%). Papers were refereed by over 170 referees from: United States (31%); New Zealand (28%); Australia (15%); United Kingdom (6%); Canada (4%); Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, France, Brazil, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Ireland, South Africa, and Bermuda making up 16%. The rejection rate for papers submitted in 2002 is currently 12%. Most papers were rejected because the work reported did not meet the standards for publication in a scientific journal (e.g., the work reported was not new, had major deficiencies, or was of poor quality). Papers published in 2002Volume 36 comprises 75 scientific papers printed over 896 pages in four issues. Volume 36, number 1, March 2002, features a selection of papers from Bob McDowall's retirement symposium: "The changing face of freshwater fisheries in New Zealand" held at NIWA, Christchurch, New Zealand on 20 November 2000. In 2002 the average time from submission of a paper to acceptance was 25 weeks and the average time from acceptance to publication was 28 weeks. The total time of 53 weeks is an improvement on the average of 56 weeks that it took for papers to be published in 2001. The Editorial Advisory Board and I are confident that these publication times can be further improved. Progress and changeSince late 2002, authors have been requested to submit their papers as PDF files, in addition to hard copy format. Referees have been sent the electronic files and asked to provide a report within 2 weeks. This has already started to reduce the publication times for papers submitted in late 2002. Papers accepted for publication in NZJMFR are now first published in electronic form on the Internet. The journal is available to subscribers online (electronic) only or in printed form (plus online free). Page charges became compulsory from 1 January 2003 in an attempt to make RSNZ less reliant on the Government for funding (which has remained unchanged since 1991). However, page charges will be waived for authors who face personal hardship or where the research was not funded. Future strategiesThe Editorial Advisory Board met for the first time in November 2002. The Strategic Plan for the development of the journal has been completed and the Editorial Advisory Board has already started to put some of the strategies into action. The journal scope has been revised to more accurately represent the papers published in NZJMFR. Theoretical research papers, in addition to field-based and experimental research, will be encouraged. Papers dealing with bioinvasions will be actively sought. A byline has been developed for NZJMFR, i.e., "International journal of aquatic science" to emphasise that although the journal specialises in papers on aquatic science and fisheries of the Southern Hemisphere, the material published is of worldwide relevance. International researchers are being invited to take up positions on the Editorial Advisory Board to help strengthen the international status of NZJMFR and assist to ensure the journal is relevant to the international scientific community. They will seek opportunities to raise the profile of NZJMFR and contribute material for publication. Editorial Advisory Board members will seek opportunities for NZJMFR to have a closer association with local scientific societies as well as opportunities for NZJMFR to publish research presented at conferences and meetings and by visiting researchers. Although most efforts will be going into improving publication times and rapid publication of accepted papers on the Internet, the Board will consider improving the cover of the printed journal to make it look more up-to-date. It seems that 2003 will be an exciting year! Many thanks to all contributors to the journal in 2002-authors, referees, and readers. I look forward to working with you all in 2003.
Endorsed by the Editorial Advisory Board |