Author Guidelines

The Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries Research (BJFR) is the official peer-reviewed scientific journal of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI). Established in 2000, the journal has served as an important platform for disseminating scientific knowledge and technological advancements in fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic sciences. Initially published in print, BJFR expanded its publication model by launching its online edition in June 2026, enabling wider accessibility, faster dissemination, and increased visibility of scholarly research.

BJFR is dedicated to publishing high-quality, original, and scientifically rigorous research that contributes to the advancement of fisheries science, sustainable aquaculture, aquatic biodiversity conservation, aquatic environmental management, fish health, post-harvest technology, fisheries economics, and other related disciplines. The journal welcomes contributions from researchers, academicians, policymakers, practitioners, and professionals from Bangladesh and around the world.

The primary objective of BJFR is to promote the dissemination of reliable scientific information that supports evidence-based decision-making, sustainable fisheries development, and responsible management of aquatic resources. The journal encourages multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research that addresses current and emerging challenges affecting inland fisheries, marine fisheries, coastal ecosystems, freshwater environments, aquaculture production, aquatic animal health, climate change, fisheries governance, food security, and blue economy initiatives.

BJFR follows a rigorous single-blind peer-review process to ensure the scientific quality, originality, and integrity of every published article. Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific merit, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal’s scope. The journal maintains editorial independence and adheres to internationally recognized standards of publication ethics.

The journal publishes manuscripts in English to facilitate international scientific communication. Authors are expected to submit manuscripts written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English. While the Editorial Office may perform minor language editing during production, authors remain responsible for ensuring the linguistic quality of their manuscripts prior to submission.

BJFR operates under a government-funded, diamond open-access publishing model. The journal does not charge submission fees, article processing charges (APCs), publication fees, page charges, or color figure charges. All published articles are made freely accessible to readers without subscription barriers, supporting the broad dissemination of scientific knowledge.

The journal publishes a range of article types and welcomes contributions from all areas of fisheries and aquatic sciences, provided that the work is scientifically sound, ethically conducted, and relevant to the aims and scope of the journal.

Authors are encouraged to read these Author Guidelines carefully before preparing and submitting their manuscripts. Compliance with these guidelines will facilitate efficient editorial processing and peer review.

Types of articles accepted

BJFR accepts several categories of scholarly manuscripts to accommodate diverse forms of scientific communication. Each article type serves a specific purpose and should be prepared according to the journal’s formatting and reporting requirements.

Original research articles: Original Research Articles present novel findings derived from well-designed experimental, observational, laboratory, field-based, or analytical studies. These manuscripts should include clearly defined objectives, robust methodology, appropriate statistical analyses, comprehensive discussion of findings, and evidence-based conclusions. Original research should significantly contribute to existing knowledge in fisheries, aquaculture, or related disciplines.

Review articles: Review Articles provide comprehensive, critical, and balanced evaluations of current knowledge on specific scientific topics. Reviews should synthesize published literature, identify knowledge gaps, discuss emerging trends, and propose future research directions. Authors are encouraged to use recent and authoritative references while maintaining objectivity throughout the review.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses: BJFR welcomes systematic reviews and meta-analyses prepared using internationally accepted reporting standards. Such manuscripts should describe comprehensive literature search strategies, inclusion and exclusion criteria, quality assessment methods, data synthesis procedures, and statistical analyses where appropriate. The methodology should be transparent and reproducible.

Short communications: Short Communications report concise but scientifically important findings that warrant rapid dissemination. These manuscripts may present preliminary observations, innovative methodologies, significant extensions of previous research, or limited datasets that contribute valuable information to the scientific community. The scientific standards applied to Short Communications are equivalent to those for full-length research articles.

Technical notes: Technical Notes describe novel laboratory procedures, field techniques, analytical methods, sampling approaches, instrumentation, software applications, or technological innovations relevant to fisheries and aquatic sciences. The emphasis should be on methodological advancement and practical application.

Case studies: Case Studies describe unique or uncommon scientific observations, disease outbreaks, ecosystem events, management interventions, conservation initiatives, or other noteworthy occurrences that provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners. Case studies should include sufficient background information and critical discussion of their broader scientific significance.

Editorials: Editorials are generally commissioned by the Editor-in-Chief or the Editorial Board. They address important developments in fisheries science, research policy, publication ethics, or matters relevant to the journal and its readership.

Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor provide scholarly comments on articles previously published in BJFR or discuss issues of scientific interest relevant to the journal’s scope. Letters should be concise, evidence-based, respectful, and supported by appropriate references. Authors of the original article may be invited to submit a response when appropriate.

Corrigenda and errata: Corrigenda and Errata are published to correct significant errors identified after publication that affect the accuracy, interpretation, or integrity of the published record. Minor typographical errors that do not affect scientific content generally do not require formal correction.

Regardless of manuscript type, all submissions undergo editorial evaluation to determine their suitability for peer review. Acceptance depends upon scientific quality, originality, ethical compliance, clarity of presentation, and relevance to the journal’s aims and scope.

General submission requirements

Authors should ensure that every manuscript submitted to BJFR complies with the journal’s editorial policies and publication standards.

Before submission, authors should confirm that:

• the manuscript is original and has not been published previously in any journal or book;
• the manuscript is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal or publisher;
• all listed authors have made qualifying scholarly contributions and have approved the submitted version;
• all authors agree to the order of authorship;
• the research has been conducted in accordance with applicable ethical standards;
• necessary approvals from ethics committees, institutional review boards, or relevant regulatory authorities have been obtained where required;
• conflicts of interest have been fully disclosed;
• all funding sources have been accurately acknowledged;
• all cited references have been checked for accuracy and completeness;
• permissions have been obtained for any copyrighted material reproduced from other sources.

Manuscripts should be prepared using commonly accepted word-processing software such as Microsoft Word and submitted through the journal’s online manuscript submission system. Authors should upload all required files, including the manuscript, tables, figures, supplementary materials (if any), cover letter, and any additional documents requested during submission.

Each submission should include a cover letter briefly explaining the significance of the research, confirming that the manuscript is original, and declaring that all authors have approved its submission. Authors may also identify any potential conflicts of interest and provide other information relevant to the editorial assessment.

The corresponding author serves as the primary contact throughout the editorial process and is responsible for communicating with the Editorial Office on behalf of all co-authors. The corresponding author should ensure that all information provided during submission is complete, accurate, and up to date.

Authors are encouraged to register and provide their ORCID iD during manuscript submission. ORCID identifiers facilitate accurate attribution of scholarly work and improve author identification across publishing platforms.

Following submission, manuscripts undergo an initial editorial screening to assess compliance with the journal’s scope, formatting requirements, ethical standards, and overall scientific suitability. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s basic submission requirements may be returned to the authors for revision before peer review or may be declined without external review if they fall outside the scope or fail to meet minimum publication standards.

Compliance with these Author Guidelines will facilitate timely editorial assessment, efficient peer review, and prompt publication of accepted manuscripts.

Preparing the manuscript

Authors should prepare their manuscripts carefully before submission to facilitate efficient editorial assessment, peer review, copyediting, and publication. A well-organized manuscript improves readability, minimizes delays during the review process, and enables reviewers to evaluate the scientific quality of the work effectively. Authors are encouraged to follow these guidelines closely and ensure that all components of the manuscript are complete before submission.

Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to have their manuscripts reviewed by a proficient English speaker or a professional language-editing service before submission. While the Editorial Office may make minor editorial corrections during production, responsibility for the linguistic quality of the manuscript rests entirely with the authors.

The manuscript should be prepared using Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx). Pages should be in A4 size with 2.5 cm (1 inch) margins on all sides. Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double line spacing throughout the manuscript, including the title page, abstract, main text, references, tables, and figure legends. All pages should be numbered consecutively.

To facilitate peer review, authors should use continuous line numbering throughout the manuscript. Line numbering assists reviewers in providing precise comments and helps editors communicate revision requests more efficiently.

Scientific names of genera, species, and subspecies should be written in italics. At the first mention, the complete scientific name, including the authority where appropriate, should be provided. Thereafter, the genus name may be abbreviated if there is no ambiguity. Common names may also be used where appropriate, particularly when they improve readability.

The International System of Units (SI) should be used throughout the manuscript. Units should be expressed consistently, and standard scientific abbreviations should be used. Where non-SI units are commonly accepted in a specific discipline, authors should provide SI equivalents whenever appropriate.

Numbers from one to nine may generally be written in words when they do not accompany units of measurement, while numbers of 10 and above should be written numerically. Measurements, percentages, temperatures, time, statistical values, and numerical data should always be presented in numerical form.

Abbreviations should be defined in full when first introduced in both the abstract and the main text. Avoid excessive use of abbreviations, particularly those that are not widely recognized within the relevant scientific discipline.

Mathematical equations should be prepared using the equation editor available in Microsoft Word. Equations should be clearly formatted, numbered sequentially where appropriate, and all variables and symbols should be defined immediately after their first appearance in the text.

Authors should use internationally accepted scientific terminology and nomenclature throughout the manuscript. Taxonomic names, gene symbols, protein names, chemical nomenclature, and biochemical terminology should follow the relevant international standards applicable to the discipline.

The manuscript should be carefully proofread before submission to eliminate typographical errors, grammatical inconsistencies, incomplete references, and formatting problems. Authors are strongly encouraged to ensure consistency in terminology, abbreviations, spelling, units, and citation style throughout the manuscript.

Manuscript structure

BJFR requires manuscripts to follow a standardized structure to ensure consistency, clarity, and ease of review. Although specific article types may vary slightly in organization, original research articles should generally include the following components.

Title page

The title page should include:

• the full title of the manuscript;
• a concise running title, if requested by the journal;
• full names of all authors;
• institutional affiliations for each author;
• ORCID iDs (recommended);
• the full postal address of the corresponding author;
• telephone number (optional);
• email address of the corresponding author.

The title should be concise, informative, and accurately reflect the content of the manuscript. Abbreviations, formulas, trade names, and unnecessary technical jargon should be avoided whenever possible.

Abstract

The abstract should provide a concise summary of the study and should generally not exceed 250 words, unless otherwise specified by the journal. The abstract should briefly describe:

• the background or rationale of the study;
• the research objectives;
• the methodology;
• the principal findings;
• the major conclusions.

The abstract should be understandable as a standalone summary and should not contain citations, unexplained abbreviations, tables, or figures.

Keywords

Authors should provide three to six keywords immediately after the abstract. Keywords should not duplicate words already used in the title whenever possible. Carefully selected keywords improve indexing, discoverability, and retrieval of published articles by search engines and bibliographic databases.

Introduction

The Introduction should provide sufficient scientific background to place the research in context. It should summarize the current state of knowledge, identify important research gaps, explain the significance of the study, and conclude with clearly stated research objectives or hypotheses.

The introduction should avoid presenting results or extensive literature reviews unrelated to the objectives of the study.

Materials and methods

The Materials and Methods section should provide sufficient detail to enable other researchers to reproduce the study. This section should include, where applicable:

• study area or study site;
• experimental design;
• sampling procedures;
• laboratory methods;
• equipment and materials used;
• ethical approvals;
• statistical analyses;
• software employed;
• quality assurance procedures.

Established methods should be referenced appropriately, while modifications to published methods should be described clearly.

Results

The Results section should present the findings objectively without interpretation.

Results should be presented logically using text, tables, and figures where appropriate. Authors should avoid repeating identical information in multiple formats. Numerical data should be reported accurately with appropriate statistical measures.

Discussion

The Discussion should interpret the findings in relation to existing scientific knowledge. Authors should explain the significance of their results, compare their findings with previous studies, discuss limitations where appropriate, and identify implications for future research.

The Discussion should focus on scientific interpretation rather than simply repeating the results.

Conclusions

The Conclusions section should summarize the principal findings and their broader significance. Conclusions should be supported directly by the data presented and should not introduce new information or unsupported speculation.

Acknowledgements

Individuals or organizations that contributed to the research but do not satisfy the journal’s authorship criteria may be acknowledged in this section. Sources of technical assistance, institutional support, laboratory assistance, language editing, or other contributions may also be recognized where appropriate.

Funding

Authors should identify all financial support received for the research, including funding agencies, grant numbers, institutional support, and project identifiers where applicable.

If the research received no external funding, authors should state:

“This research received no external funding.”

Author contributions

Each manuscript should include a brief description of the contributions made by each listed author. The journal encourages the use of the CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) or an equivalent structured contribution statement.

Conflict of interest

Authors must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may influence the interpretation of the research.

Where no conflicts exist, authors should state:

“The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.”

Data availability statement

Authors should indicate where the data supporting the findings of the study can be accessed. Examples include:

• publicly available repository;
• supplementary materials;
• available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request;
• data not publicly available due to ethical or legal restrictions.

References

All references cited in the manuscript must appear in the reference list, and every reference listed must be cited within the text. References should be prepared according to the APA 7th edition style described below.

Tables and figures

Tables and figures should be placed after the reference list or uploaded separately during submission, according to the journal’s submission instructions. Each table and figure should be cited in the text in numerical order.

Reference style (APA 7th edition)

BJFR follows the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), Seventh Edition for all in-text citations and reference lists. Authors are responsible for ensuring that references are complete, accurate, consistently formatted, and correspond exactly to the citations appearing in the manuscript.

Only works cited in the manuscript should appear in the reference list. Authors should verify all bibliographic information before submission, including author names, publication year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, page range, Digital Object Identifier (DOI), and URLs where applicable.

In-text citations

Citations should include the surname of the author and the year of publication. Examples:

• Single author: (Rahman, 2024)
• Two authors: (Rahman & Karim, 2025)
• Three or more authors: (Ahmed et al., 2026)

For direct quotations, authors should include page numbers where appropriate.

Reference list

The reference list should be arranged alphabetically according to the surname of the first author. General formatting requirements include:

• use a hanging indent;
• list all authors according to APA 7th edition rules;
• use sentence case for article titles;
• italicize journal titles and volume numbers;
• include issue numbers where available;
• provide page ranges;
• include DOI in URL format whenever available.

Examples:

Journal article

Rahman, M. A., Islam, M. S., & Karim, M. E. (2025). Growth performance of Nile tilapia under different feeding regimes. Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries Research, 29(2), 101–115. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Book

Boyd, C. E., & Tucker, C. S. (2012). Pond aquaculture water quality management. Springer.

Book chapter

Pillay, T. V. R. (2018). Sustainable aquaculture development. In J. Lucas & P. Southgate (Eds.), Aquaculture (3rd ed., pp. 45–67). Wiley.

Website

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2024). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture. https://www.fao.org/

Government report

Department of Fisheries. (2024). Yearbook of fisheries statistics of Bangladesh. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Authors are encouraged to use reference management software such as EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, or RefWorks to ensure consistency and reduce formatting errors. Nevertheless, authors remain responsible for the accuracy of all references included in their manuscripts.

Incomplete, inaccurate, or improperly formatted references may delay editorial processing and publication.

Tables, figures and supplementary files

Tables, figures, and supplementary files are essential components of scientific manuscripts and should be prepared with clarity, accuracy, and consistency. High-quality visual materials enhance the presentation of research findings, facilitate data interpretation, and improve the overall readability of the manuscript. Authors should ensure that all tables, figures, and supplementary materials are directly relevant to the study and support the information presented in the main text.

Tables

Tables should be designed to present data concisely and should complement, rather than duplicate, information described in the text. Authors are encouraged to organize data in a logical manner that enables readers to understand the findings without unnecessary complexity. Each table should:

• Be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals (Table 1, Table 2, etc.).
• Be cited in the text in numerical order.
• Include a concise, descriptive title placed above the table.
• Be understandable without reference to the main text.
• Use consistent formatting throughout the manuscript.
• Include explanatory footnotes where necessary.
• Define all abbreviations used within the table.
• Clearly identify statistical significance where applicable.

Tables should be prepared using the table function in Microsoft Word rather than being inserted as images. Authors should avoid excessive formatting, merged cells where unnecessary, decorative borders, shading, or colors that may complicate typesetting.

Data presented in tables should be accurate and internally consistent with values reported in the manuscript. Numerical values should use an appropriate number of decimal places, and units of measurement should be clearly indicated in the column headings rather than repeated within individual cells. Authors should avoid presenting identical information in both tables and figures unless scientifically justified.

Figures

Figures include graphs, charts, photographs, maps, diagrams, illustrations, flowcharts, drawings, and other visual representations of data. Figures should be designed to communicate scientific information clearly and accurately. Each figure should:

• Be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).
• Be cited in the text in sequential order.
• Include a descriptive legend placed below the figure.
• Be understandable without referring extensively to the main text.
• Clearly define all symbols, abbreviations, colors, and scales used.
• Maintain consistent formatting throughout the manuscript.

Figures should be prepared using professional scientific software whenever possible. Graphs should remain clear when reduced for publication, with appropriately sized fonts, symbols, and axis labels.

Photographic images should be of high quality and accurately represent the original observations. Images should not be manipulated in a manner that alters, obscures, enhances, or misrepresents scientific findings. Acceptable image adjustments are limited to those applied uniformly to the entire image, such as brightness or contrast corrections that do not alter the interpretation of the data.

Maps should include essential cartographic elements where appropriate, including scale bars, north arrows, coordinate systems, legends, and source information. Maps should comply with applicable legal and institutional requirements relating to geographic representation.

Figure resolution and file formats

To ensure high-quality publication, figures should be submitted in an appropriate electronic format.

The journal recommends:

• Line drawings: minimum 600 dpi.
• Photographs and color images: minimum 300 dpi.
• Combination figures (line art and photographs): minimum 600 dpi.

Preferred file formats include:

• TIFF (.tif)
• JPEG (.jpg)
• PNG (.png)
• EPS (.eps)
• PDF (.pdf) for vector graphics

Where figures are created using Microsoft Excel, Origin, R, SPSS, GraphPad Prism, SigmaPlot, or other statistical software, authors should retain the original editable files in case revisions are requested during production.

Color figures

BJFR accepts both color and grayscale figures. Since the journal is published electronically, color figures are encouraged where they improve scientific interpretation. Authors should ensure that color choices remain distinguishable when viewed by individuals with color vision deficiencies and that figures remain interpretable if printed in grayscale.

Figure permissions

If authors reproduce or adapt figures, tables, photographs, illustrations, or other copyrighted material from previously published sources, they are responsible for obtaining written permission from the copyright holder before submission unless permission is not required under applicable copyright law or licensing terms.

Appropriate acknowledgements and copyright notices should accompany reproduced or adapted material.

Supplementary files

Supplementary materials provide additional information that supports, but is not essential to, understanding the main manuscript. Supplementary materials allow authors to present comprehensive datasets or methodological details without interrupting the flow of the primary article. Examples include:

• extended datasets;
• additional tables;
• supplementary figures;
• detailed methodologies;
• questionnaires;
• computer code;
• software scripts;
• multimedia files;
• videos;
• audio recordings;
• appendices.

Each supplementary file should:

• Be clearly labelled (e.g., Supplementary Table S1, Supplementary Figure S1).
• Be cited appropriately within the main text.
• Include descriptive titles where applicable.
• Be submitted in an acceptable electronic format.

Supplementary materials are subject to editorial assessment and peer review. Authors remain responsible for the scientific accuracy and integrity of all supplementary content.

Statistical reporting

Accurate statistical analysis is fundamental to the reliability and reproducibility of scientific research. Authors are responsible for selecting appropriate statistical methods, applying them correctly, and reporting the results transparently. Statistical analyses should be planned during the study design rather than after data collection, and the selected methods should be appropriate for the research objectives and characteristics of the data.

Experimental design

Authors should describe the experimental or observational design in sufficient detail to enable readers to evaluate the validity of the study. Important aspects may include:

• study design;
• sampling strategy;
• treatment groups;
• control groups;
• randomization procedures;
• blocking methods;
• replication;
• sample size determination;
• inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The rationale for the chosen design should be explained where appropriate, particularly for complex experimental studies.

Sample size and replication

Authors should clearly report the number of experimental units, biological replicates, technical replicates, and observations included in each analysis. Replication should be sufficient to support valid statistical inference. Where sample size calculations or power analyses have been conducted, authors are encouraged to describe the methods used and the assumptions underlying these calculations.

Statistical methods

The statistical methods employed should be described in sufficient detail to permit independent verification of the analyses. Authors should identify all statistical tests used and explain why each method was appropriate for the data. Examples of commonly used statistical analyses include:

• t-tests;
• analysis of variance (ANOVA);
• regression analysis;
• generalized linear models;
• mixed-effects models;
• multivariate analyses;
• principal component analysis;
• cluster analysis;
• non-parametric tests;
• survival analysis.

Authors should indicate whether assumptions of the statistical tests were evaluated and describe any data transformations applied before analysis.

Statistical software

The software used for statistical analyses should be identified, including the version number and developer where appropriate. Examples include:

• R;
• SPSS;
• SAS;
• Stata;
• GraphPad Prism;
• Minitab;
• OriginPro;
• Python statistical packages.

Reporting statistical results

Statistical results should be reported completely and consistently throughout the manuscript. Authors should provide:

• test statistics where appropriate;
• degrees of freedom;
• exact p-values whenever possible;
• confidence intervals where applicable;
• measures of variability;
• effect sizes where appropriate.

Rather than stating “p < 0.05″ for all results, authors are encouraged to report exact p-values (e.g., p = 0.032), except where values are extremely small (e.g., p < 0.001). Measures of variability should be clearly identified, such as:

• standard deviation (SD);
• standard error (SE);
• confidence interval (CI);
• interquartile range (IQR).

Authors should specify whether values are presented as mean ± SD, mean ± SE, median (IQR), or another appropriate summary statistic.

Presentation of data

Data should be presented clearly and accurately using text, tables, and figures. Authors should avoid unnecessary duplication of numerical information across multiple presentation formats. Graphs should include clearly labelled axes, units of measurement, appropriate legends, and definitions of error bars. Error bars should be explained within the figure legend. The number of decimal places reported should reflect the precision of the measurements and analytical methods. Excessive numerical precision should be avoided.

Interpretation of statistical findings

Statistical significance should not be interpreted as equivalent to biological, ecological, clinical, or practical importance. Authors are encouraged to discuss the magnitude and scientific relevance of observed effects rather than relying solely on statistical significance. The Discussion should interpret statistical findings in the context of the study objectives, existing literature, and potential limitations. Any limitations related to sample size, statistical assumptions, missing data, or analytical methods should be acknowledged transparently. BJFR encourages transparent, reproducible, and responsible statistical reporting in accordance with internationally accepted scientific standards. Clear statistical reporting enhances the credibility, reproducibility, and long-term value of published research.

Research ethics

The BJFR is committed to promoting the highest standards of research integrity and ethical conduct. Authors submitting manuscripts to BJFR must ensure that all research has been conducted responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with applicable institutional, national, and international regulations. Ethical considerations are fundamental to maintaining public trust in scientific research and ensuring the welfare of humans, animals, and the environment.

Submission of a manuscript to BJFR signifies that all authors have conducted their research in accordance with recognized ethical principles and have obtained all necessary approvals before commencing the study. The Editorial Office reserves the right to request supporting documentation, including ethics approval letters, research permits, consent forms, or other relevant documents, at any stage of the editorial process.

Research involving human participants

Research involving human participants must comply with internationally accepted ethical principles and applicable institutional and national regulations. Studies should receive prior approval from an appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB), Ethics Committee, or other competent authority before participant recruitment or data collection begins. Authors should state in the manuscript:

• the name of the approving ethics committee or institutional review board;
• the approval or reference number, where applicable;
• confirmation that ethical approval was obtained before the study commenced.

Where informed consent is required, authors should confirm that informed consent was obtained from all participants or from their legally authorized representatives. For studies involving photographs, interviews, questionnaires, identifiable information, or personal data, appropriate consent for publication should also be obtained where necessary. Research involving vulnerable populations should include additional safeguards to protect participants’ rights, dignity, privacy, and welfare.

Research involving animals

BJFR publishes research involving aquatic organisms and other animals provided that the studies are conducted humanely and ethically. Authors should ensure that:

• animal welfare regulations have been followed;
• unnecessary pain, distress, and suffering have been minimized;
• appropriate husbandry practices have been maintained;
• experimental procedures have received prior ethical approval where required.

The manuscript should identify the approving institutional animal ethics committee or equivalent authority and provide approval details where applicable. The journal encourages authors to apply the internationally recognized principles of the 3Rs:

• Replacement of animals where scientifically appropriate;
• Reduction in the number of animals used;
• Refinement of experimental procedures to minimize pain and distress.

Field studies and environmental research

Research conducted in natural environments should comply with all applicable environmental regulations and conservation requirements. Authors should obtain necessary permits for:

• specimen collection;
• sampling within protected areas;
• research involving endangered or protected species;
• access to restricted research sites;
• export or import of biological materials where applicable.

Authors should clearly identify the issuing authority and permit numbers where relevant.

Field studies should be designed to minimize adverse environmental impacts and avoid unnecessary disturbance to ecosystems, habitats, wildlife populations, and biodiversity.

Biosafety and biosecurity

Research involving infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, genetically modified organisms, invasive species, or other biological hazards should comply with applicable biosafety regulations.

Authors should describe relevant containment procedures where appropriate and confirm compliance with institutional and governmental biosafety requirements.

Data integrity

Authors are responsible for ensuring that research data are collected, analysed, interpreted, and reported honestly. The journal strictly prohibits:

• fabrication of data;
• falsification of data;
• selective reporting of results;
• manipulation of research records;
• intentional omission of significant findings.

Authors should retain original research data and supporting documentation for a reasonable period after publication and provide them to the journal if requested during editorial evaluation or investigation.

Research permits and legal compliance

Authors are responsible for obtaining all permits, licences, permissions, and regulatory approvals required for conducting their research. Examples include:

• fisheries research permits;
• environmental permits;
• wildlife collection permits;
• export permits;
• laboratory safety approvals;
• institutional permissions.

Failure to obtain required approvals before conducting research may constitute grounds for rejection or retraction where appropriate.

Ethical reporting

Research should be reported honestly, accurately, and completely. Authors should:

• describe methods transparently;
• report results objectively;
• acknowledge study limitations;
• disclose negative findings where scientifically relevant;
• avoid misleading interpretation of results.

The journal encourages complete and transparent reporting to facilitate reproducibility and independent verification of scientific findings.

Publication ethics

BJFR is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record through rigorous publication ethics. Authors, reviewers, editors, Editorial Board members, and the publisher are expected to adhere to internationally accepted ethical standards throughout the publication process. The journal follows recognized principles of publication ethics and expects all participants to act honestly, transparently, professionally, and responsibly.

Originality

Manuscripts submitted to BJFR must represent original scholarly work. Submission of a manuscript confirms that:

• the work has not been published previously except where explicitly permitted;
• the manuscript is not under consideration by another journal;
• the research represents the authors’ own work;
• appropriate credit has been given to previous studies.

Authors should ensure that quotations, ideas, figures, tables, and other materials derived from previous publications are appropriately cited and, where necessary, reproduced with permission.

Plagiarism

BJFR has zero tolerance for plagiarism. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• copying text without attribution;
• presenting another person’s ideas as one’s own;
• copying figures or tables without permission;
• unattributed paraphrasing;
• translation plagiarism;
• mosaic plagiarism;
• self-plagiarism where substantial previously published material is reused without appropriate disclosure.

All submitted manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism detection software before peer review or publication. Where significant plagiarism is identified, the journal may reject the manuscript or initiate further investigation in accordance with its publication ethics policies.

Duplicate and redundant publication

Authors should not submit the same or substantially similar manuscripts simultaneously to multiple journals. Duplicate publication includes publication of essentially identical manuscripts in more than one journal. Redundant publication refers to substantial overlap between publications without appropriate disclosure. Where related manuscripts exist, authors should disclose these during submission and provide copies if requested by the Editorial Office.

Image integrity

Scientific images should accurately represent the original observations. Inappropriate image manipulation includes:

• selective enhancement;
• selective removal of information;
• duplication of images;
• splicing without disclosure;
• fabrication of image content.

Permissible image adjustments include uniform modifications to brightness, contrast, or color balance provided that such adjustments do not alter the scientific interpretation of the image.

Editors may request original image files during editorial assessment.

Data integrity

Authors are expected to maintain complete and accurate research records. The journal may request:

• raw datasets;
• laboratory notebooks;
• analytical outputs;
• statistical files;
• original images;
• metadata.

Failure to provide supporting documentation where reasonably requested may affect editorial decisions.

Citation practices

References should be selected on the basis of scientific relevance rather than personal, institutional, or commercial interests. Authors should avoid:

• excessive self-citation;
• citation cartels;
• irrelevant citations;
• coercive citation practices;
• citation manipulation intended to inflate bibliometric indicators.

Editors and reviewers likewise should not request unnecessary citations to their own work or to the journal unless scientifically justified.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence tools may assist authors with language improvement, grammar correction, literature organization, coding assistance, or other limited functions. However:

• AI systems cannot be listed as authors.
• Authors remain fully responsible for all manuscript content.
• AI-generated information should be carefully verified for accuracy.
• Authors should disclose the use of AI tools where required under the journal’s AI policy.

The use of AI does not diminish the authors’ responsibility for originality, accuracy, ethical compliance, or scientific integrity.

Confidentiality

Information obtained during manuscript submission and peer review should remain confidential.

Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff should not:

• disclose manuscript contents to unauthorized individuals;
• use unpublished information for personal benefit;
• share confidential reviewer reports;
• distribute submitted manuscripts without authorization.

Confidentiality obligations continue even after editorial decisions have been made.

Corrections and post-publication issues

Where significant errors are identified after publication, authors should notify the Editorial Office promptly. Depending on the nature of the issue, the journal may publish:

• corrigenda;
• errata;
• addenda;
• expressions of concern;
• retractions.

The purpose of these editorial actions is to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the published scientific record rather than to assign blame.

Editorial cooperation

Authors are expected to cooperate fully throughout the editorial process. This includes:

• responding promptly to editorial correspondence;
• providing revised manuscripts within requested timelines;
• supplying supporting documentation where requested;
• addressing reviewer comments respectfully and comprehensively;
• informing the journal of any significant post-submission developments that may affect the manuscript.

Failure to cooperate with reasonable editorial requests may delay processing or result in withdrawal of the manuscript from consideration.

Commitment to ethical publishing

BJFR encourages a culture of honesty, transparency, accountability, fairness, and scientific excellence. Ethical publishing is a shared responsibility involving authors, reviewers, editors, Editorial Board members, and the publisher. By submitting a manuscript to BJFR, authors acknowledge that they have read and understood the journal’s publication ethics requirements and agree to comply with all applicable editorial policies. The journal reserves the right to investigate suspected ethical concerns and to take appropriate editorial action where violations are identified, thereby safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and long-term value of the scholarly record.

Authorship requirements

The BJFR recognizes authorship as both a credit for scholarly contributions and a responsibility for the integrity of published research. Every individual listed as an author should have made substantial intellectual contributions to the work and should be able to take public responsibility for the content of the manuscript. Authorship should accurately reflect the contributions of all individuals involved in the research and writing process.

BJFR follows the authorship recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). According to the ICMJE, an author should meet all four of the following criteria:

1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
2. Drafting the manuscript or critically revising it for important intellectual content.
3. Final approval of the version to be published.
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Individuals who do not meet all four criteria should not be listed as authors. Instead, their contributions may be recognized in the Acknowledgements section after obtaining their permission.

Author responsibilities

All authors share collective responsibility for the scientific integrity of the manuscript. Each author is expected to:

• ensure the accuracy and originality of the work;
• participate actively in manuscript preparation or critical revision;
• approve the final submitted and accepted versions of the manuscript;
• disclose any conflicts of interest;
• disclose funding sources;
• cooperate with the Editorial Office during peer review and post-publication inquiries;
• assist in correcting or retracting published work when necessary.

Authors should maintain original research records and provide supporting documentation if requested by the journal during editorial evaluation or investigations into research integrity.

Author order

The order of authors should be determined collectively by all authors before manuscript submission. The journal does not prescribe how authorship order should be assigned; however, the order should accurately reflect the relative contributions of each author. Any disagreement regarding authorship order should be resolved by the authors and their institutions before submission. BJFR will not arbitrate disputes concerning author order unless they involve potential publication misconduct.

Corresponding author

Every manuscript must designate one corresponding author. The corresponding author is responsible for:

• submitting the manuscript;
• ensuring that all authors satisfy the journal’s authorship criteria;
• obtaining approval from every co-author before submission;
• maintaining communication with the Editorial Office;
• coordinating responses to reviewers;
• submitting revised manuscripts;
• approving page proofs;
• ensuring the accuracy of all author information.

The corresponding author serves as the primary point of contact throughout the editorial and publication process.

Equal contributions

Where two or more authors have contributed equally to the work, the manuscript may include an equal contribution statement.

For example:

“Author A and Author B contributed equally to this work.”

Such statements should accurately reflect the contributions made and must be agreed upon by all authors before submission.

Contributors who do not qualify for authorship

Individuals who contribute to a study but do not meet the ICMJE authorship criteria should not be listed as authors. Examples include individuals providing:

• technical assistance;
• laboratory support;
• field assistance;
• language editing;
• statistical consultation;
• administrative support;
• funding acquisition only;
• general supervision without intellectual contribution.

Such contributions may be acknowledged appropriately in the Acknowledgements section.

Acknowledgements

The Acknowledgements section should recognize individuals, organizations, laboratories, institutions, funding agencies, and technical personnel whose contributions assisted the research but did not qualify for authorship.

Authors should obtain permission from acknowledged individuals before including their names in the manuscript.

Changes in authorship

BJFR expects authorship to be finalized before manuscript submission. Requests to add, remove, or rearrange authors after submission are considered exceptional and require adequate justification. Changes in authorship may affect the integrity of the scholarly record. Consequently, the journal evaluates all authorship change requests carefully to ensure transparency and fairness.

Before submission

Authors are encouraged to discuss and agree upon:

• authorship eligibility;
• author order;
• corresponding author designation;
• contribution statements;

before the manuscript is submitted.

Establishing authorship at an early stage minimizes misunderstandings during peer review and publication.

During peer review

Requests to change authorship during peer review should be submitted by the corresponding author with:

• a detailed explanation for the requested change;
• written agreement from all existing authors;
• written agreement from any newly added or removed author;
• revised author contribution statement where applicable.

The Editor may request additional documentation before approving the change.

After acceptance

Authorship changes requested after manuscript acceptance are discouraged because they may delay publication.

Such requests will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and require unanimous written consent from all authors together with a satisfactory explanation.

The Editorial Office reserves the right to reject authorship change requests that lack sufficient justification.

After publication

Changes in authorship after publication are considered only in exceptional circumstances.

Where justified, the journal may publish:

• a corrigendum;
• an editorial notice;
• another appropriate post-publication correction.

Serious disputes regarding authorship may require consultation with the authors’ institutions.

Required documentation

When requesting an authorship change, authors may be asked to provide:

• signed statements from all authors;
• institutional confirmation where appropriate;
• revised contribution statements;
• supporting correspondence;
• explanations describing the reason for the requested modification.

The journal may suspend editorial processing until authorship concerns have been resolved satisfactorily.

Conflict of interest disclosure

Transparency regarding competing interests is essential for maintaining confidence in published research. BJFR requires all participants in the publication process to disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could reasonably influence professional judgment. Disclosure does not imply misconduct. Rather, it enables editors and readers to evaluate published work within an appropriate context.

Conflicts of interest for authors

Authors should disclose any financial or non-financial interests that could influence the research or its interpretation. Examples include:

• employment;
• consultancy;
• research funding;
• grants;
• honoraria;
• travel support;
• patents;
• stock ownership;
• advisory positions;
• commercial affiliations;
• personal relationships;
• institutional relationships.

Where no competing interests exist, authors should include a statement such as:

“The authors declare that they have no competing interests.”

Conflicts of interest for reviewers

Reviewers should decline invitations if they have conflicts that could compromise their objectivity.

Examples include:

• recent collaboration with the authors;
• employment at the same institution;
• financial interests related to the research;
• personal relationships;
• academic competition.

Reviewers should notify the handling editor immediately if a conflict becomes apparent after accepting the review invitation.

Conflicts of interest for editors

Editors and Editorial Board members should avoid handling manuscripts where competing interests may influence editorial judgment. Editors should recuse themselves from editorial decisions involving:

• manuscripts authored by themselves;
• manuscripts from close collaborators;
• manuscripts from family members;
• manuscripts involving significant financial interests;
• manuscripts creating institutional conflicts.

Editorial responsibility should be transferred to another qualified editor whenever necessary.

Funding disclosure

Authors must disclose all sources of financial support received for the research. Funding statements should include:

• funding organization;
• grant number where available;
• project identifier where applicable;
• role of the funding body in study design, data collection, analysis, manuscript preparation, and publication decisions.

If the funder had no involvement beyond financial support, authors should clearly state this.

Declaration of no conflicts

Where no conflicts exist, authors should provide an explicit declaration confirming the absence of competing interests. Conflict of interest statements will normally be published with accepted articles to promote transparency and maintain the integrity of the scientific record. The Editorial Office may request additional information whenever clarification regarding disclosed interests is considered necessary. Failure to disclose relevant competing interests may result in editorial action in accordance with the journal’s Conflict of Interest Policy and Publication Ethics Policy.

Data availability and research transparency

BJFR is committed to promoting transparency, reproducibility, and openness in scientific research. Authors are encouraged to make the data supporting their published findings available whenever possible, provided that doing so does not violate legal, ethical, institutional, or confidentiality requirements. Transparent reporting of research data enables independent verification of results, facilitates future research, and strengthens confidence in the published scientific record. Authors should retain the original research data, laboratory records, field observations, statistical outputs, images, and other supporting documentation for a reasonable period after publication. The Editorial Office may request access to these materials during the peer-review process or if questions arise after publication regarding the validity or integrity of the research.

Data availability statement

All manuscripts should include a Data Availability Statement immediately before the reference list or in the location specified by the journal. The statement should clearly indicate where the data supporting the findings of the study can be accessed. Examples include:

• The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
• The data supporting the findings of this study are included within the published article and its supplementary materials.
• The datasets have been deposited in a publicly accessible repository and are available through the repository DOI or accession number.
• Data are not publicly available because they contain confidential or sensitive information or are subject to legal or ethical restrictions.

Where no new data were generated or analysed, authors should indicate this in the data availability statement.

Data sharing

BJFR encourages authors to share research data in a manner that enhances transparency and reproducibility. Data sharing is particularly encouraged for datasets that may support future research or facilitate independent verification of published findings. Examples of research data include:

• raw experimental data;
• processed datasets;
• laboratory observations;
• field survey data;
• environmental measurements;
• sequence data;
• statistical analysis files;
• computer code;
• software scripts;
• modelling outputs;
• image datasets.

Authors should ensure that shared datasets are accurate, well-organized, and accompanied by sufficient documentation to enable reuse by other researchers.

Data repositories

Where appropriate, authors are encouraged to deposit datasets in recognized institutional, national, or international repositories that provide persistent identifiers such as Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) or accession numbers. Suitable repositories may include:

• institutional repositories;
• discipline-specific repositories;
• government repositories;
• internationally recognized general-purpose repositories.

Authors should provide repository names, accession numbers, persistent identifiers, or URLs within the manuscript where applicable.

Supporting information

Supporting information that is too extensive for inclusion within the main article may be submitted as supplementary material. Examples include:

• detailed methodologies;
• extended data tables;
• supplementary figures;
• questionnaires;
• analytical protocols;
• software code;
• multimedia files.

Supplementary materials are subject to editorial review and, where appropriate, peer review.

Reproducibility

Authors should describe experimental procedures, analytical methods, statistical analyses, and computational approaches in sufficient detail to permit independent replication of the research wherever feasible. Methods should be described clearly, and previously published methods should be appropriately cited. Modifications to established procedures should be explained in sufficient detail to allow reproducibility. Authors are encouraged to report:

• software versions;
• statistical packages;
• parameter settings;
• laboratory protocols;
• analytical workflows.

Transparent reporting enhances scientific credibility and contributes to the advancement of fisheries and aquatic sciences.

Funding information

Transparency regarding financial support is essential to maintaining confidence in published research. BJFR requires authors to disclose all sources of funding that supported the work described in the manuscript. Funding disclosures enable readers to understand the financial context of the research and help identify potential competing interests. Disclosure of funding does not imply bias; rather, it promotes openness and accountability throughout the publication process.

Funding statement

Every manuscript should include a dedicated Funding Statement describing the financial support received for the study. The statement should identify:

• the funding agency or organization;
• grant or project number where applicable;
• institutional funding;
• scholarship support;
• fellowship support;
• contract funding.

Where multiple funding sources contributed to the research, each should be identified separately.

Role of the funder

Authors should clearly state the role of the funding organization in the research. Where applicable, the statement should indicate whether the funder participated in:

• study design;
• data collection;
• laboratory analyses;
• statistical analysis;
• interpretation of findings;
• manuscript preparation;
• publication decisions.

If the funding organization had no involvement beyond financial support, authors should explicitly state this.

Research without external funding

Where the study received no external financial support, authors should include a statement such as:

“This research received no external funding.”

Accuracy of funding information

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that funding information is complete and accurate at the time of submission. Any changes to funding disclosures after submission should be communicated promptly to the Editorial Office.

Failure to disclose relevant funding sources may lead to editorial investigation and corrective action where appropriate.

Artificial intelligence policy

BJFR recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being used to assist researchers during manuscript preparation, data analysis, literature searches, language editing, programming, and other research-related activities. While these technologies can improve efficiency, they do not replace the intellectual responsibility, scientific judgment, and ethical accountability of human authors. Authors remain fully responsible for every aspect of the manuscript submitted to BJFR, regardless of whether AI-assisted tools were used during its preparation.

Acceptable uses of AI

Authors may use AI-assisted technologies for limited purposes such as:

• improving grammar and language;
• enhancing readability;
• correcting spelling and punctuation;
• formatting references;
• assisting with computer programming;
• generating code for data analysis;
• organizing literature;
• summarizing publicly available information for preliminary review.

All AI-generated outputs should be carefully reviewed, verified, and edited by the authors before submission.

Disclosure of AI use

Where AI tools have made a meaningful contribution to manuscript preparation beyond routine spelling or grammar correction, authors should disclose their use in an appropriate section of the manuscript, such as the Acknowledgements or a dedicated disclosure statement. The disclosure should identify:

• the name of the AI tool;
• the purpose for which it was used;
• confirmation that the authors reviewed and verified all generated content.

Transparency regarding AI use promotes trust in scientific communication and allows readers to evaluate the research appropriately.

AI cannot be an author

Artificial intelligence systems do not satisfy internationally recognized authorship criteria because they cannot:

• make substantial intellectual contributions independently;
• approve the final manuscript;
• accept responsibility for the integrity of the work;
• respond to editorial questions;
• address post-publication concerns.

Accordingly, AI tools, software applications, chatbots, or language models must not be listed as authors or co-authors of manuscripts submitted to BJFR.

Author responsibility

Regardless of AI use, authors remain fully responsible for:

• the originality of the manuscript;
• the accuracy of all information presented;
• appropriate citation of sources;
• interpretation of results;
• ethical compliance;
• protection of confidential information;
• compliance with copyright requirements.

Authors should not rely on AI-generated content without independent verification. AI systems may generate inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, or fabricated information, including fictitious references or incorrect factual statements.

Confidentiality

Authors should exercise caution when using AI platforms that process information through external servers. Unpublished manuscripts, confidential datasets, reviewer comments, proprietary information, or sensitive research materials should not be uploaded to AI systems unless authors are confident that doing so complies with institutional policies, legal requirements, confidentiality agreements, and applicable data protection regulations.

Editorial use of AI

Editors and reviewers should likewise exercise caution when using AI technologies during editorial assessment. Confidential manuscripts and peer-review materials should not be uploaded to AI systems in ways that may compromise confidentiality or intellectual property rights.

Future developments

Artificial intelligence technologies continue to evolve rapidly. BJFR will periodically review and update its AI policy to ensure consistency with emerging international standards, advances in scholarly publishing, and developments in publication ethics. Authors are encouraged to consult the latest version of the journal’s AI policy before submitting their manuscripts. The journal supports the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI while reaffirming that scientific integrity, accountability, and authorship remain the exclusive responsibility of human researchers.

Copyright and licensing

The BJFR is committed to the broad dissemination of scientific knowledge while respecting the intellectual property rights of authors and third parties. Upon acceptance of a manuscript, authors will be required to complete the journal’s copyright and licensing agreement before publication. This agreement ensures that the journal has the necessary rights to publish, archive, index, and distribute the accepted work while protecting the interests of both the authors and the publisher.

Authors must ensure that the submitted manuscript is their original work and that it does not infringe upon the copyright or intellectual property rights of any individual, organization, or publisher. If copyrighted material such as figures, tables, photographs, maps, illustrations, questionnaires, or extensive text excerpts from previously published works is included in the manuscript, authors are responsible for obtaining written permission from the copyright holder before submission unless such use is permitted by law or the applicable license. The corresponding author is responsible for confirming that all co-authors have agreed to the copyright and licensing terms prior to publication. Where applicable, authors retain the right to:

• use their published work for teaching, educational, and research purposes;
• include the published article in theses or dissertations;
• deposit the published article in institutional or subject repositories, subject to the journal’s archiving policy;
• share the published article with colleagues and collaborators;
• use figures, tables, and portions of the article in future scholarly works with appropriate citation.

Authors should always acknowledge BJFR as the original source of publication when reusing any part of their published work. The journal reserves the right to archive, preserve, index, reproduce, and distribute published articles in print and electronic formats. Published articles may also be included in indexing databases, digital repositories, library catalogues, and long-term preservation systems to ensure continued accessibility. Copyright disputes arising after publication will be investigated in accordance with the journal’s Publication Ethics Policy. Where infringement is confirmed, the journal may publish corrections, remove infringing material, or take other appropriate editorial actions.

Open access policy

BJFR follows a diamond open access publishing model to maximize the dissemination and accessibility of scientific knowledge. All articles published in the journal are made freely available online immediately upon publication without subscription fees, registration requirements, or paywalls. The journal believes that unrestricted access to high-quality scientific information promotes research collaboration, innovation, education, and evidence-based decision-making in fisheries and aquatic sciences. BJFR does not charge:

• manuscript submission fees;
• article processing charges (APCs);
• publication fees;
• page charges;
• color figure charges;
• article access fees.

The publication costs of the journal are supported by the BFRI as part of its commitment to advancing fisheries research and scientific communication. Readers may access, read, download, cite, and share published articles in accordance with the journal’s copyright and licensing terms. Authors benefit from immediate global visibility of their research without financial barriers to publication or readership. To ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of published content, BJFR may archive articles through institutional repositories, national archives, digital preservation services, and recognized indexing platforms. This helps safeguard the scholarly record and ensures that published research remains accessible to future generations of researchers. The journal periodically reviews its open access practices to ensure alignment with evolving international standards in scholarly publishing and digital preservation.

Peer-review process

BJFR employs a single-blind peer-review system to evaluate the scientific quality, originality, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, and relevance of submitted manuscripts. In this review model, the identities of reviewers are not disclosed to the authors, while reviewers are provided with the identities of the authors.

Initial editorial assessment

Following submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial editorial screening conducted by the Editor-in-Chief or an assigned editor. During this stage, the manuscript is evaluated for:

• relevance to the journal’s aims and scope;
• originality;
• compliance with the Author Guidelines;
• scientific quality;
• ethical compliance;
• completeness of submission documents;
• language quality.

Manuscripts that fail to satisfy these basic requirements may be returned to the authors for technical revision or declined without external peer review.

Reviewer selection

Suitable manuscripts are assigned to independent experts with appropriate subject knowledge and research experience. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, publication record, and ability to provide objective and constructive evaluations.

The Editorial Office seeks to minimize conflicts of interest when selecting reviewers. Individuals with competing interests that may compromise impartiality are not assigned to review the manuscript.

Peer-review evaluation

Reviewers are requested to assess manuscripts objectively and confidentially. Their evaluations generally consider:

• originality and novelty;
• scientific significance;
• methodological quality;
• experimental design;
• statistical analyses;
• interpretation of results;
• quality of presentation;
• adequacy of references;
• ethical considerations;
• overall suitability for publication.

Reviewers are encouraged to provide constructive comments that assist authors in improving their manuscripts while maintaining professional and respectful communication.

Editorial decision

After receiving reviewer reports, the handling editor evaluates the comments and recommendations before making an editorial decision. The editor may also consider the scientific merit of the manuscript independently and is not obligated to follow reviewer recommendations if there are valid editorial reasons for a different decision.

Where reviewer opinions differ substantially, the editor may invite additional reviewers or consult members of the Editorial Board before reaching a final decision.

Revision process

When revisions are requested, authors should submit:

• a revised manuscript;
• a detailed response to reviewers;
• a document highlighting changes, if requested.

Authors should address each reviewer comment carefully and provide clear explanations where recommendations cannot be fully implemented.

Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation when necessary.

Confidentiality

All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must not disclose manuscript contents or use unpublished information for personal, academic, or commercial advantage.

Confidentiality obligations continue after the completion of the peer-review process.

Editorial decision categories

Following editorial assessment and peer review, manuscripts submitted to BJFR may receive one of several editorial decisions. These decisions are based on scientific merit, reviewer recommendations, editorial evaluation, and compliance with the journal’s policies.

Accept

The manuscript is accepted for publication without further scientific revision or with only minor editorial corrections required during production.

Minor revision

The manuscript is scientifically acceptable but requires limited revisions before publication. These revisions may involve clarification of methods, improvement of figures or tables, correction of language, updating references, or addressing minor reviewer comments. Authors are expected to revise the manuscript within the time specified by the Editorial Office.

Major revision

The manuscript demonstrates scientific potential but requires substantial revision before further consideration. Major revisions may involve additional analyses, clarification of methodology, expanded discussion, restructuring of the manuscript, or addressing significant reviewer concerns.

Submission of a revised manuscript does not guarantee acceptance. Revised manuscripts may undergo additional rounds of peer review.

Reject and resubmit

The manuscript is not acceptable in its current form but may be reconsidered if substantially revised and submitted as a new manuscript. Authors should carefully address all identified weaknesses before resubmission. A resubmitted manuscript will normally undergo a new editorial assessment and peer-review process.

Reject

A manuscript may be rejected if it:

• falls outside the journal’s scope;
• lacks sufficient scientific originality;
• contains major methodological weaknesses;
• fails to meet ethical standards;
• presents unreliable or unsupported conclusions;
• contains extensive plagiarism or other forms of publication misconduct;
• does not satisfy the journal’s quality requirements.

Editorial decisions are final unless authors submit a formal appeal in accordance with the journal’s Appeals and Complaints Policy. BJFR is committed to ensuring that all editorial decisions are fair, objective, timely, evidence-based, and free from inappropriate influence. Every manuscript is evaluated solely on its scientific quality, originality, ethical integrity, and relevance to the journal’s mission of advancing fisheries and aquatic science.

Manuscript revision

Following peer review, authors may be invited to revise their manuscript before a final editorial decision is made. The purpose of the revision process is to improve the scientific quality, clarity, completeness, and overall presentation of the manuscript. Authors should carefully consider all reviewer and editor comments and respond to them in a constructive, professional, and evidence-based manner. A request for revision does not guarantee acceptance of the manuscript. Acceptance depends on the satisfactory resolution of reviewers’ comments, compliance with the journal’s editorial policies, and the final evaluation of the Editor.

Responding to reviewers

Authors should prepare a detailed Response to Reviewers document when submitting a revised manuscript. This document should address each reviewer comment individually and explain how the comment has been addressed in the revised manuscript. The response should:

• reproduce each reviewer comment or clearly identify it;
• provide a point-by-point response;
• indicate where changes have been made by referring to page and line numbers;
• respectfully explain any recommendations that could not be implemented and provide scientific justification.

Responses should remain courteous and professional even when authors disagree with reviewer suggestions. Scientific disagreements should be supported by appropriate evidence rather than personal opinion.

Revision timelines

The Editorial Office will specify a deadline for submitting the revised manuscript. Authors are encouraged to submit revisions as early as possible. If additional time is required, the corresponding author should contact the Editorial Office before the deadline and request an extension with an explanation. The journal will consider reasonable extension requests based on individual circumstances. Failure to submit a revised manuscript within the specified period without prior communication may result in the manuscript being treated as withdrawn or administratively closed.

Revision files

A revised submission should normally include:

• the revised manuscript;
• a detailed response to reviewers;
• a version of the manuscript with tracked changes or highlighted revisions, if requested by the journal;
• revised figures, tables, or supplementary materials where applicable;
• updated declarations or supporting documents if changes affect ethical approval, funding, authorship, or conflict of interest disclosures.

Authors should ensure that all revised files are complete, clearly labelled, and correspond to the latest version of the manuscript.

Highlighting changes

To facilitate editorial assessment, authors are encouraged to identify all revisions made in response to reviewer comments. Changes may be indicated using the track changes feature in Microsoft Word or by highlighting revised text, unless otherwise instructed by the Editorial Office. Where extensive revisions have been made, authors should ensure that the revised manuscript remains internally consistent and that all related sections have been updated accordingly. The Editorial Office may return incomplete or improperly prepared revisions to the authors before further consideration.

Further review

Depending on the extent of the revisions, the Editor may:

• assess the revised manuscript independently;
• return the manuscript to the original reviewers;
• invite additional reviewers where necessary.

Additional rounds of revision may be requested until the manuscript satisfies the journal’s scientific and editorial standards.

Acceptance and production

Once a manuscript has successfully completed peer review and has been accepted for publication, it enters the production stage. The objective of production is to prepare the manuscript for publication while preserving the scientific accuracy of the accepted work.

Copyediting

Accepted manuscripts undergo professional copyediting to improve consistency, readability, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and adherence to the journal’s style requirements. Copyediting may include:

• correction of grammatical and typographical errors;
• standardization of terminology and abbreviations;
• verification of references and citations;
• formatting of tables and figures;
• consistency checks throughout the manuscript.

Scientific content, interpretations, and conclusions will not be altered during copyediting without consultation with the authors.

Typesetting

Following copyediting, the manuscript is professionally typeset according to the journal’s publication format. During typesetting, the production team prepares:

• page layout;
• headings and subheadings;
• tables;
• figures;
• references;
• pagination;
• metadata required for indexing and online publication.

Authors should review the typeset version carefully to ensure that no formatting errors have been introduced during production.

Proofreading

The corresponding author will receive page proofs before publication. Proofreading provides an opportunity to identify and correct:

• typographical errors;
• formatting problems;
• minor grammatical issues;
• production errors;
• incorrect author information;
• reference formatting errors.

Authors should review proofs thoroughly and return corrections within the deadline specified by the Editorial Office to avoid delays in publication. Proof correction is not intended for major rewriting, extensive restructuring, or introduction of new scientific data. Substantial changes at this stage require editorial approval and may delay publication.

Author proof correction

The corresponding author is responsible for coordinating proof review with all co-authors before returning the corrected proofs. Only essential corrections should be requested during proofreading. Excessive author alterations that extend beyond correction of production errors may require additional editorial evaluation. The Editorial Office may proceed with publication if corrected proofs are not returned within the specified timeframe despite reasonable attempts to contact the corresponding author.

Final approval

Before publication, the corresponding author should confirm that:

• all corrections have been reviewed;
• author names and affiliations are accurate;
• funding information is complete;
• conflict of interest statements are correct;
• tables and figures are accurate;
• references are complete;
• the final version accurately represents the accepted manuscript.

Final approval signifies that all authors agree with the version that will become part of the permanent scholarly record.

Publication process

Following completion of production, accepted manuscripts proceed to publication. BJFR aims to publish accepted articles as efficiently as possible while maintaining high editorial and production standards.

Online publication

Accepted articles are published on the official BJFR website following completion of peer review, copyediting, proofreading, and production. Online publication enables rapid dissemination of research findings and provides immediate access to the scientific community. Published articles include complete bibliographic information, author affiliations, abstracts, keywords, references, and all supplementary publication metadata required for indexing.

Issue assignment

Each accepted article is assigned to a specific journal volume and issue according to the journal’s publication schedule. The Editorial Office determines issue assignment based on production workflow, publication planning, and editorial considerations. Acceptance date does not necessarily determine the order of publication within an issue.

DOI assignment

Each published article is assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to ensure permanent identification and reliable electronic access. The DOI provides a persistent link to the published article and facilitates citation, indexing, discovery, and long-term accessibility across digital platforms. Authors are encouraged to use the DOI when citing BJFR articles in future publications.

Citation information

Upon publication, each article receives complete citation information, including:

• article title;
• author names;
• journal title;
• volume number;
• issue number;
• page numbers or article identifier, where applicable;
• publication year;
• DOI.

Authors should use the official published citation when referencing their work in future publications, institutional repositories, grant reports, academic profiles, and other scholarly communications.

Indexing and discoverability

Following publication, article metadata may be submitted to indexing services, bibliographic databases, library catalogues, and digital repositories for improved visibility and discoverability, subject to the journal’s indexing status and agreements. The Editorial Office strives to ensure that published articles are accurately indexed and that bibliographic information remains consistent across all dissemination platforms.

Permanent scholarly record

Once published, articles become part of the permanent scholarly record. Any subsequent corrections, updates, or retractions are managed in accordance with the journal’s editorial policies to preserve the integrity, transparency, and reliability of the scientific literature.

Corrections and post-publication updates

BJFR is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the published scholarly record. Despite rigorous peer review, editorial assessment, and production processes, errors or concerns may occasionally be identified after publication. When such issues arise, the journal will take appropriate editorial action to ensure that readers have access to accurate and trustworthy scientific information. Post-publication updates are intended to correct the scientific record in a transparent and timely manner. The nature of the editorial action depends on the severity of the issue, the impact on the validity of the findings, and the available evidence.

General principles

The journal evaluates all requests for post-publication changes carefully and objectively. Editorial decisions are based on the available evidence, consultation with the authors when appropriate, and established publication ethics standards. Corrections are made to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record rather than to assign blame. The journal seeks to ensure that published articles remain reliable sources of scientific information while maintaining transparency regarding any amendments made after publication. Where necessary, the Editorial Office may consult reviewers, Editorial Board members, institutional representatives, or independent experts before deciding on the appropriate editorial action.

Erratum

An Erratum is published when an error introduced during the editorial or production process affects the published article.

Examples include:

• typographical errors introduced during typesetting;
• incorrect author affiliations resulting from production errors;
• formatting mistakes;
• incorrect page numbering;
• errors in figure placement;
• production-related metadata inaccuracies.

Errata are linked to the original article to ensure that readers are aware of the correction.

Corrigendum

A Corrigendum is issued when authors identify an error in their published article that does not invalidate the overall findings or conclusions. Examples include:

• incorrect numerical values that do not affect the interpretation of results;
• minor errors in tables or figures;
• incorrect reference details;
• omitted acknowledgements;
• minor textual inaccuracies.

Authors should notify the Editorial Office promptly upon discovering such errors and provide a clear explanation of the proposed correction.

Addendum

An Addendum may be published when additional information becomes available after publication that enhances readers’ understanding of the article but does not alter the original conclusions. Examples include:

• clarification of methods;
• additional experimental details;
• supplementary analyses;
• additional acknowledgements;
• updates regarding data availability.

Addenda are published only when the additional information is considered scientifically valuable and relevant to the published article.

Expression of concern

An Expression of Concern may be issued when serious questions arise regarding the integrity, reliability, or ethical conduct of a published article, but the available evidence is insufficient to support a correction or retraction. Circumstances that may lead to an Expression of Concern include:

• allegations of research misconduct;
• unresolved authorship disputes;
• concerns regarding ethical approval;
• suspected data irregularities;
• institutional investigations that remain ongoing.

An Expression of Concern informs readers that the journal is actively investigating the matter while preserving procedural fairness for all parties involved.

Retraction

A Retraction is reserved for circumstances in which a published article is determined to be fundamentally unreliable or where serious violations of publication ethics have occurred. Reasons for retraction may include:

• fabrication or falsification of data;
• plagiarism;
• duplicate publication;
• unethical research practices;
• major methodological errors that invalidate the findings;
• unauthorized use of copyrighted material;
• manipulation of the peer-review process;
• serious breaches of publication ethics.

Whenever possible, retraction notices will clearly explain the reasons for the retraction and remain permanently linked to the original article to preserve the transparency of the scholarly record. Retracted articles will remain part of the published record but will be clearly identified as retracted to prevent inadvertent citation or misuse.

Author responsibilities after publication

Authors have a continuing responsibility to maintain the integrity of their published work. If authors discover significant errors or omissions after publication, they should notify the Editorial Office without unnecessary delay. Authors are expected to cooperate fully during investigations and provide any supporting information requested by the journal. Prompt reporting of errors demonstrates responsible scientific conduct and contributes to maintaining confidence in the published literature.

Appeals and complaints

BJFR is committed to ensuring that all editorial decisions are made fairly, objectively, transparently, and without discrimination. Authors, reviewers, and readers who believe that an editorial decision or publication process was handled inappropriately have the right to submit an appeal or complaint. The journal considers appeals and complaints seriously and investigates them in accordance with its editorial policies and recognized standards of publication ethics. Submission of an appeal or complaint does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed, but every concern will receive careful and impartial consideration.

Editorial appeals

Authors may appeal an editorial decision if they believe that:

• the decision was based on factual errors;
• reviewer comments were demonstrably incorrect;
• important scientific evidence was overlooked;
• procedural errors affected the editorial evaluation.

Appeals should be submitted by the corresponding author in writing and should include:

• the manuscript identification number;
• the editorial decision being appealed;
• a detailed explanation of the grounds for appeal;
• supporting scientific evidence where appropriate.

Appeals based solely on disagreement with reviewer opinions or editorial judgment, without supporting evidence, are unlikely to result in reconsideration.

Review of appeals

Appeals are normally evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief or another editor who was not directly involved in the original decision whenever possible. The journal may also seek advice from additional reviewers, Editorial Board members, or independent subject experts. Following review, the journal may:

• uphold the original decision;
• invite submission of a revised manuscript;
• request additional peer review;
• reverse the original decision if justified.

The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the corresponding author together with an explanation of the editorial decision.

Complaints regarding peer review

Authors may submit complaints if they believe that the peer-review process was not conducted fairly or professionally. Examples include concerns regarding:

• inappropriate reviewer behaviour;
• unprofessional comments;
• excessive delays;
• undisclosed conflicts of interest;
• breaches of confidentiality.

The journal will investigate such concerns confidentially and take appropriate action where necessary to maintain the integrity of the peer-review process.

Ethical complaints

BJFR welcomes reports of potential publication ethics concerns relating to submitted or published articles. Examples include:

• plagiarism;
• duplicate publication;
• data fabrication or falsification;
• authorship disputes;
• undeclared conflicts of interest;
• image manipulation;
• unethical research practices.

Complaints should include sufficient supporting information to enable an objective investigation. Anonymous complaints may be considered if they contain credible and verifiable evidence.

Complaints from reviewers and readers

Reviewers and readers may also raise concerns regarding:

• editorial procedures;
• publication ethics;
• scientific accuracy;
• conflicts of interest;
• research integrity;
• policy implementation.

The Editorial Office will acknowledge receipt of complaints and evaluate them in accordance with the journal’s established procedures.

Investigation process

All appeals and complaints are handled confidentially and objectively. Depending on the nature of the concern, the journal may:

• request additional information from the complainant;
• seek clarification from the authors;
• consult reviewers or editors;
• contact the relevant institution;
• obtain advice from independent experts.

The journal aims to resolve appeals and complaints as efficiently as possible while ensuring fairness to all parties involved.

Final decision

After completing the investigation, the Editor-in-Chief or the designated editorial authority will issue a final decision. This decision will be communicated to the relevant parties together with an explanation where appropriate. The journal’s decision following a formal appeal or complaint is generally considered final. However, if substantial new evidence becomes available after the decision, the Editorial Office may reopen the matter at its discretion.

Commitment to fairness

BJFR is committed to providing a respectful, transparent, and equitable editorial process. Appeals and complaints are evaluated without discrimination based on nationality, institutional affiliation, gender, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, or any other personal characteristic. The journal encourages constructive communication among authors, reviewers, editors, and readers and strives to resolve concerns professionally while safeguarding the integrity of the scholarly publication process.

Reporting publication misconduct

BJFR is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and scholarly publishing. The journal encourages authors, reviewers, editors, readers, institutions, and members of the scientific community to report any suspected publication misconduct relating to submitted, accepted, or published manuscripts. Timely reporting of ethical concerns helps preserve the integrity of the scholarly record and ensures that published research remains reliable and trustworthy.

Allegations of publication misconduct should be supported by sufficient factual information whenever possible. Concerns may be submitted to the Editorial Office through the journal’s official communication channels. Reports should include relevant evidence, documentation, or explanations that assist the Editorial Office in conducting an objective evaluation. Anonymous reports may also be considered if they contain credible and verifiable information. Examples of publication misconduct include, but are not limited to:

• plagiarism or self-plagiarism;
• data fabrication or falsification;
• image manipulation;
• duplicate or redundant publication;
• unethical research involving humans or animals;
• authorship disputes or guest authorship;
• undisclosed conflicts of interest;
• manipulation of the peer-review process;
• citation manipulation;
• submission of fraudulent documents or approvals.

Upon receiving an allegation, the Editorial Office will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant further investigation. Where appropriate, authors may be contacted for clarification or supporting documentation. Depending on the nature of the allegation, the journal may also consult reviewers, Editorial Board members, independent experts, or the relevant research institution. During an investigation, BJFR may temporarily suspend editorial processing or publication until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved. Authors are expected to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide any requested information within the specified timeframe. If misconduct is confirmed, the journal may take one or more editorial actions, including manuscript rejection, publication of corrections, expressions of concern, article retraction, notification of the authors’ institution, or restriction of future submissions where appropriate. Editorial actions will be proportionate to the seriousness of the misconduct and implemented in accordance with internationally accepted publication ethics standards.

Throughout the investigation, the journal will make every reasonable effort to ensure fairness, confidentiality, impartiality, and due process for all parties involved.

Article withdrawal

Article withdrawal refers to the removal of a manuscript from the publication process before publication or, in exceptional circumstances, the withdrawal of a published article from public access where justified by legal or ethical considerations. Before publication, authors may request withdrawal of their manuscript by submitting a written request signed or approved by the corresponding author. The request should clearly explain the reason for withdrawal. Where the manuscript has multiple authors, the Editorial Office may request confirmation that all co-authors have been informed of the withdrawal request. Once a manuscript has entered peer review or production, withdrawal requests will be evaluated carefully because significant editorial and reviewer resources may already have been invested in the manuscript. Withdrawal requests submitted after acceptance should be supported by a valid reason and may require additional documentation. The journal reserves the right to decline withdrawal requests where there is evidence that the request is intended to avoid editorial investigation into suspected publication misconduct or other ethical concerns. After publication, complete removal of an article is considered only under exceptional circumstances, such as legal requirements, court orders, serious violations of individual rights, or circumstances where continued public availability would cause substantial legal or ethical harm. In most cases, concerns regarding published articles will be addressed through corrections, corrigenda, expressions of concern, or retractions rather than complete removal. Where an article is withdrawn after publication, the journal will maintain an appropriate public record indicating that the article has been withdrawn, together with the reason for withdrawal where legally and ethically appropriate.

Publication fees

BJFR is published by the BFRI, an autonomous government research organization under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Government of Bangladesh. As part of its commitment to promoting scientific research and knowledge dissemination, the journal follows a fully funded diamond open access publishing model.

BJFR does not charge authors at any stage of the publication process. There are:

• no manuscript submission fees;
• no article processing charges (APCs);
• no peer-review charges;
• no editorial processing fees;
• no page charges;
• no publication fees;
• no color figure charges;
• no online hosting fees;
• no fees for supplementary materials.

Similarly, readers are not required to pay subscription fees or article access charges. All published articles are made freely available through the journal website immediately after publication. The operational costs of the journal, including editorial management, peer review administration, copyediting, typesetting, online publication, website maintenance, and long-term preservation, are supported through government funding allocated to the BFRI. Authors should be cautious of fraudulent emails or individuals requesting publication-related payments in the name of BJFR. The journal will never request payment for manuscript submission, peer review, editorial processing, or publication. Any suspicious communication should be reported immediately to the Editorial Office.

Language editing

BJFR publishes manuscripts in English and expects submissions to be written in clear, accurate, and professional scientific language. Well-written manuscripts facilitate efficient peer review and improve communication of scientific findings to an international audience. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are grammatically correct, logically organized, and free from spelling, punctuation, and typographical errors before submission. Manuscripts with language deficiencies that substantially affect scientific understanding may be returned to the authors for revision before peer review or may be declined if the language prevents an appropriate scientific evaluation. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to seek assistance from experienced colleagues, professional language editors, or institutional editing services prior to submission. The use of language-editing services is voluntary and does not guarantee acceptance of the manuscript.

Editorial copyediting performed after acceptance is intended to improve consistency, formatting, and readability. It is not a substitute for careful manuscript preparation by the authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the scientific accuracy, terminology, and interpretation of all published content. The journal encourages the use of internationally accepted scientific terminology, standard nomenclature, and consistent units of measurement throughout the manuscript. Clear and concise scientific writing contributes significantly to the quality and impact of published research.

Preprint policy

BJFR recognizes the growing importance of preprint servers in facilitating the rapid dissemination of scientific findings. Authors may submit manuscripts that have previously been deposited on a recognized non-commercial preprint server, provided that the manuscript has not undergone formal peer review or been published in a scholarly journal. Authors should disclose during submission whether a preprint version of the manuscript is publicly available. Where applicable, the name of the preprint server, accession number, persistent identifier, or DOI should be provided to the Editorial Office. Submission of a manuscript to BJFR signifies that the manuscript is not under consideration by another peer-reviewed journal, regardless of its availability as a preprint.

Following publication in BJFR, authors are encouraged to update the preprint record by including a complete citation and a link to the final published version of the article. This helps readers identify the authoritative, peer-reviewed version of the work. Authors should ensure that preprints accurately reflect the submitted manuscript and should avoid posting substantially different versions without appropriate explanation. Any significant changes introduced during peer review should be incorporated into the published article rather than treated as separate publications. The journal reserves the right to revise its preprint policy as scholarly communication practices evolve and new international recommendations become available. Authors are encouraged to consult the latest version of the Author Guidelines before submission.

Archiving and digital preservation

The BJFR recognizes the importance of preserving scholarly literature for future generations. Long-term accessibility and preservation of published research are essential to ensuring the continuity of scientific knowledge and maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. The journal is committed to implementing appropriate digital preservation practices that protect published content from technological changes, accidental data loss, and other risks that may affect long-term accessibility. All published articles are permanently archived on the official BJFR website and maintained as part of the journal’s digital collection. The Editorial Office works to ensure that published articles remain accessible, citable, and discoverable over time.

To strengthen long-term preservation, the journal may archive published articles through appropriate institutional repositories, government archives, digital preservation systems, library repositories, and recognized indexing platforms where applicable. These preservation mechanisms help safeguard published research against data loss and ensure continued public access to scientific information. Authors are encouraged to retain copies of the final published version of their articles for personal records and institutional repositories, subject to the journal’s copyright and licensing policies. The journal also encourages institutions to preserve published articles in accordance with accepted scholarly archiving practices.

Where technological changes require migration of published content to new formats or platforms, the journal will make reasonable efforts to preserve the integrity, authenticity, and accessibility of the published record. The Editorial Office periodically reviews its archiving procedures to ensure compatibility with evolving digital preservation standards and international best practices.

Indexing and abstracting

BJFR is committed to maximizing the visibility, accessibility, and scientific impact of the research it publishes. The journal actively seeks inclusion in reputable national and international indexing and abstracting services that improve the discoverability of published articles. Following publication, article metadata may be submitted to appropriate indexing databases, library catalogues, institutional repositories, and scholarly search platforms in accordance with the journal’s indexing status and the requirements of individual services. Indexing enables researchers to:

• discover published articles more efficiently;
• increase citation opportunities;
• improve research visibility;
• facilitate literature searches;
• promote international collaboration.

The journal continuously works to maintain compliance with the technical, editorial, and ethical standards required by recognized indexing organizations. Authors should note that acceptance for publication in BJFR does not guarantee immediate inclusion in every indexing database. Indexing decisions are made independently by each database according to its own evaluation criteria and review procedures. Where article metadata require correction after publication, the Editorial Office will make reasonable efforts to update indexing services in accordance with their policies and technical capabilities.

Corrections to author information after publication

BJFR recognizes the importance of maintaining accurate author information within the published scholarly record. Author names, affiliations, ORCID iDs, correspondence details, and contribution statements should be carefully verified before publication. Following publication, requests to correct author information will be considered where legitimate errors have occurred. Examples include:

• spelling errors in author names;
• incorrect institutional affiliations;
• changes to correspondence details;
• incorrect ORCID identifiers;
• errors in author contribution statements.

Requests should normally be submitted by the corresponding author and should include an explanation together with any supporting documentation requested by the Editorial Office. Changes that affect authorship itself, including the addition, removal, or rearrangement of authors, are governed by the journal’s Authorship Policy and may require written agreement from all authors as well as additional institutional documentation. Where approved, corrections will normally be published through an appropriate post-publication notice, ensuring transparency while preserving the integrity of the published record. The journal reserves the right to decline requests that are unsupported, inconsistent with publication ethics, or intended to misrepresent the scholarly record.

Ethical use of published content

BJFR encourages the responsible and ethical use of published research. Authors, educators, researchers, policymakers, students, and other readers are encouraged to use published articles in ways that promote scientific advancement while respecting intellectual property rights and proper scholarly attribution. Users of BJFR content should:

• cite published articles accurately;
• acknowledge the original source of information;
• avoid misrepresentation of research findings;
• respect copyright and licensing conditions;
• maintain the integrity of reproduced material.

Published articles should not be altered, selectively quoted, or presented in a manner that changes the scientific meaning or misleads readers. Researchers who build upon previously published BJFR articles are encouraged to provide appropriate citations and discuss earlier findings fairly and accurately. The journal also encourages responsible communication of research findings through educational activities, conferences, public engagement, and media reporting. Scientific conclusions should be presented accurately and within the context of the original research. Improper use of published material, including plagiarism, unauthorized commercial exploitation, falsification of published content, or misuse of figures and tables, may constitute copyright infringement or publication misconduct and may result in appropriate legal or editorial action.

Contacting the Editorial Office

BJFR is committed to maintaining effective communication with authors, reviewers, readers, and other stakeholders throughout the publication process. The Editorial Office welcomes inquiries relating to manuscript submission, editorial policies, peer review, publication ethics, technical issues, and post-publication matters. Authors are encouraged to contact the Editorial Office regarding:

• manuscript preparation;
• submission requirements;
• editorial policies;
• peer-review procedures;
• revision requests;
• publication scheduling;
• copyright matters;
• ethical concerns;
• corrections after publication.

When contacting the Editorial Office, authors should provide relevant information, including the manuscript identification number where applicable, to facilitate timely assistance. The journal aims to respond to correspondence as promptly as possible. Response times may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the inquiry. Professional, respectful, and constructive communication is expected from all parties. The Editorial Office likewise strives to provide courteous, impartial, and transparent assistance throughout the publication process. Official correspondence should be conducted using the journal’s designated communication channels to ensure accurate record-keeping and efficient handling of requests.