Terms of Service

The Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries Research (BJFR) is a peer-reviewed, open access scientific journal published by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI). These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern the access to and use of the BJFR website, manuscript submission system, editorial services, peer review platform, and all related publishing services provided by the journal.

The purpose of these Terms is to establish a transparent framework defining the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of all individuals and organizations interacting with BJFR. These Terms promote responsible scholarly publishing, protect the integrity of the publication process, and ensure compliance with internationally recognized ethical and legal standards.

By accessing the BJFR website, submitting a manuscript, participating in peer review, serving as an editor or Editorial Board member, or otherwise using the journal’s services, users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with these Terms of Service and all related journal policies. These Terms should be read together with the journal’s:

• Publication Ethics Policy;
• Peer Review Policy;
• Authorship Policy;
• Plagiarism Policy;
• Open Access Policy;
• Copyright and Licensing Policy;
• Conflict of Interest Policy;
• Correction and Retraction Policy;
• Privacy Policy;
• Instructions for Authors; and
• any other policies published on the official BJFR website.

Where inconsistencies arise between these Terms and a specific journal policy, the more specific policy shall govern the relevant matter.

BJFR reserves the right to amend these Terms periodically to reflect changes in publishing practices, legal requirements, technological developments, or editorial policies. Updated Terms become effective upon publication on the journal website unless otherwise stated.

About BJFR

The BJFR is an international, peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in fisheries and aquatic sciences. The journal provides a platform for researchers, scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and academics to disseminate original scientific findings that contribute to the sustainable development and conservation of aquatic resources.

BJFR is published by the BFRI, a national research organization committed to advancing fisheries science, aquaculture, aquatic biodiversity, and sustainable fisheries management. The journal publishes a wide range of scholarly contributions, including:

• original research articles;
• review articles;
• short communications;
• methodological papers;
• technical notes;
• case studies;
• policy analyses; and
• other article types approved by the Editorial Board.

The journal covers, but is not limited to, the following subject areas:

• fisheries biology;
• aquaculture;
• marine fisheries;
• inland fisheries;
• aquatic ecology;
• fish nutrition;
• fish genetics;
• aquatic animal health;
• fish pathology;
• aquatic biotechnology;
• fisheries economics;
• fisheries management;
• aquatic environmental sciences;
• seafood science and technology;
• aquatic biodiversity;
• climate change and fisheries;
• aquatic resource conservation; and
• related interdisciplinary fields.

BJFR follows a fully open access publishing model to maximize the dissemination, accessibility, and impact of scientific knowledge. All published articles are made freely available to readers worldwide without subscription or access fees.

Editorial decisions are made independently and solely on the basis of scientific merit, originality, methodological quality, and relevance to the journal’s scope. The publisher does not interfere with editorial decisions.

Eligibility and acceptance of terms

These Terms apply to every individual or organization that accesses or uses any service provided by BJFR. Users include, but are not limited to:

• authors;
• corresponding authors;
• co-authors;
• reviewers;
• editors;
• Editorial Board members;
• guest editors;
• readers;
• website visitors;
• librarians;
• institutional representatives;
• funding organizations;
• indexing agencies; and
• any other users interacting with the journal.

By using BJFR services, users confirm that they:

• have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms;
• will comply with applicable laws and regulations;
• will comply with all journal policies;
• will provide accurate information;
• will not misuse journal services; and
• accept responsibility for activities conducted under their accounts.

Authors submitting manuscripts confirm that:

• the submitted work is original;
• all listed authors have approved the submission;
• all required ethical approvals have been obtained;
• conflicts of interest have been disclosed;
• funding information is accurate;
• the manuscript complies with journal policies; and
• all publication declarations are truthful.

Reviewers accepting review invitations agree to perform reviews objectively, confidentially, and professionally in accordance with the journal’s Reviewer Guidelines. Editors and Editorial Board members agree to discharge their editorial duties independently, ethically, confidentially, and without discrimination or conflicts of interest. Continued use of the journal website or services constitutes ongoing acceptance of these Terms and any future revisions.

User accounts and registration

Certain BJFR services, including manuscript submission, peer review, and editorial management, may require users to create an online account.

Users are responsible for providing complete, accurate, and current registration information. Users agree to:

• maintain accurate account information;
• promptly update changes to personal details;
• safeguard login credentials;
• maintain password confidentiality;
• notify the Editorial Office of unauthorized account access; and
• use only one personal account unless otherwise authorized.

Users must not:

• create fraudulent accounts;
• impersonate another individual;
• provide false institutional affiliations;
• share accounts with others;
• use automated account creation tools; or
• attempt unauthorized access to journal systems.

BJFR reserves the right to suspend, restrict, or terminate accounts that:

• violate these Terms;
• contain false information;
• compromise system security;
• facilitate publication misconduct;
• interfere with editorial operations; or
• engage in fraudulent activities.

Account suspension or termination does not automatically affect editorial decisions concerning submitted manuscripts. Manuscripts will continue to be handled according to journal policies where appropriate.

Website use and acceptable conduct

The BJFR website is provided to facilitate scholarly communication, manuscript submission, peer review, publication, and dissemination of scientific knowledge. Users may use the website only for lawful and legitimate academic purposes. Permitted activities include:

• accessing published articles;
• submitting manuscripts;
• participating in peer review;
• downloading open access content;
• citing published articles;
• communicating with the Editorial Office; and
• using journal resources in accordance with applicable licenses.

Users shall not:

• interfere with website security;
• attempt unauthorized access to servers or databases;
• upload malicious software;
• distribute spam or unsolicited communications;
• engage in phishing or fraudulent activities;
• disrupt journal operations;
• misuse submission systems;
• harvest personal information without authorization;
• circumvent technical protections;
• upload unlawful content;
• infringe intellectual property rights;
• manipulate editorial processes; or
• use the website in violation of applicable laws.

Users must not employ automated software, bots, scripts, or artificial intelligence systems to overload, scrape, or interfere with journal services without prior written permission.

BJFR may temporarily suspend website access for maintenance, security upgrades, system improvements, or emergency situations without prior notice.

The journal is not responsible for interruptions caused by internet service providers, third-party hosting services, cyberattacks, natural disasters, or other events beyond its reasonable control.

Manuscript submission terms

Submission of a manuscript to BJFR constitutes a formal declaration by the corresponding author, on behalf of all authors, that the manuscript complies with all journal requirements and ethical standards. By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that:

• the manuscript is original;
• the work has not been published previously, except where explicitly permitted;
• the manuscript is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal;
• all authors satisfy the journal’s authorship criteria;
• all authors have reviewed and approved the submitted version;
• all data presented are accurate and honestly reported;
• no data have been fabricated, falsified, or inappropriately manipulated;
• all required ethical approvals have been obtained;
• informed consent has been obtained where applicable;
• conflicts of interest have been fully disclosed;
• funding sources have been accurately reported;
• appropriate permissions have been obtained for copyrighted materials;
• artificial intelligence tools, if used in manuscript preparation, have been disclosed in accordance with journal policy; and
• the manuscript complies with all BJFR editorial and publication policies.

Authors remain responsible for the accuracy and integrity of all submitted materials throughout the editorial process. Submission does not guarantee acceptance for publication. Every manuscript undergoes editorial assessment, similarity screening, peer review, and editorial decision-making according to the journal’s established procedures. BJFR reserves the right to reject manuscripts at any stage of the editorial process if they fail to comply with these Terms, journal policies, ethical standards, or applicable legal requirements.

The Editorial Office may request additional documentation during manuscript processing, including but not limited to ethical approval letters, informed consent documentation, raw data, funding confirmations, authorship declarations, conflict of interest disclosures, image authenticity verification, or copyright permissions. Authors are expected to provide such documentation promptly when requested. Failure to comply with submission requirements, provide requested information, or respond to editorial communications within the specified timeframe may result in administrative withdrawal, rejection of the manuscript, or suspension of editorial processing.

Editorial and peer review services

BJFR is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, confidential, and scientifically rigorous editorial and peer review process. All manuscripts submitted to the journal are evaluated according to established editorial procedures and internationally recognized standards of publication ethics.

Editorial independence

Editorial decisions are made independently by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board without influence from the publisher, authors, reviewers, sponsors, advertisers, or other external parties. Publication decisions are based solely on:

• scientific quality;
• originality;
• methodological rigor;
• ethical compliance;
• significance of the findings; and
• relevance to the aims and scope of BJFR.

Initial editorial screening

Every submitted manuscript undergoes an initial editorial assessment before peer review. During this stage, the Editorial Office evaluates whether the manuscript:

• falls within the journal’s scope;
• complies with submission guidelines;
• meets formatting requirements;
• satisfies ethical standards;
• passes similarity screening; and
• demonstrates sufficient scientific quality for external review.

Manuscripts may be rejected without external review if they fail to satisfy these requirements.

Peer review process

BJFR follows a double-blind peer review system in which the identities of authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review process. Independent reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on:

• originality;
• scientific validity;
• methodological quality;
• statistical analysis;
• interpretation of results;
• quality of presentation;
• ethical compliance; and
• contribution to fisheries and aquatic sciences.

Reviewer recommendations assist editors in making publication decisions but are advisory in nature. The final decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

Confidentiality

All manuscripts, reviewer reports, editorial correspondence, and related documents are treated as confidential information. Authors, reviewers, editors, and Editorial Office staff must not disclose confidential materials except where required by journal policy or applicable law.

Appeals and complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a written explanation with supporting evidence. Appeals are evaluated independently by the Editor-in-Chief or another designated editor not involved in the original decision. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reconsideration or reversal of an editorial decision.

Author responsibilities

Authors bear primary responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, and originality of their submitted work. By submitting a manuscript to BJFR, authors agree to comply with all applicable journal policies and publication ethics requirements.

Originality

Authors warrant that submitted manuscripts:

• are original works;
• have not been previously published except where permitted;
• are not simultaneously under review elsewhere;
• appropriately acknowledge the work of others; and
• contain accurate references.

Authorship

Only individuals who have made substantial scholarly contributions should be listed as authors. Authors agree that:

• authorship accurately reflects contributions;
• all listed authors approve submission;
• no honorary or ghost authors are included;
• authorship changes after submission require editorial approval; and
• contributor information is truthful.

Data integrity

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

• research data are accurate;
• results are honestly reported;
• images have not been improperly manipulated;
• statistical analyses are appropriate;
• conclusions are supported by evidence; and
• original data are retained for verification if requested.

Research ethics

Where applicable, authors must obtain:

• ethical approval from appropriate committees;
• institutional permissions;
• research permits;
• informed consent from participants; and
• approvals relating to animal welfare or environmental protection.

Supporting documentation may be requested during editorial evaluation.

Conflict of interest

Authors must disclose all financial, professional, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the conduct, interpretation, or reporting of the research.

Failure to disclose relevant conflicts may result in editorial action, including rejection or post-publication correction.

Funding disclosure

All funding sources supporting the research must be disclosed accurately, including grant numbers where applicable. Funding organizations must not influence editorial decisions or scientific reporting.

Artificial intelligence disclosure

If artificial intelligence or automated language assistance tools are used during manuscript preparation, authors must disclose such use in accordance with the journal’s Artificial Intelligence Policy. Authors remain fully responsible for:

• scientific accuracy;
• originality;
• interpretation;
• citations;
• ethical compliance; and
• final manuscript content.

Artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors.

Copyright compliance

Authors must ensure that all third-party material incorporated into the manuscript is used lawfully. Necessary permissions must be obtained before submission where copyright restrictions apply.

Reviewer responsibilities

Peer reviewers make essential contributions to maintaining the scientific quality of BJFR. By accepting a review invitation, reviewers agree to perform their duties professionally, objectively, confidentially, and ethically. Reviewers shall:

• maintain confidentiality;
• evaluate manuscripts objectively;
• provide constructive comments;
• avoid discriminatory or offensive language;
• complete reviews within agreed deadlines;
• disclose conflicts of interest;
• decline assignments where impartiality cannot be maintained;
• report suspected publication misconduct;
• avoid using unpublished information for personal benefit; and
• comply with the journal’s Reviewer Guidelines.

Reviewers must not upload confidential manuscripts or unpublished data into publicly accessible artificial intelligence systems or other external platforms that could compromise confidentiality or intellectual property. Reviewer recommendations are confidential communications intended solely for editorial decision-making.

Editor responsibilities

Editors are entrusted with preserving the scientific quality, ethical integrity, and editorial independence of BJFR. Editors shall:

• evaluate manuscripts fairly;
• maintain confidentiality;
• avoid conflicts of interest;
• uphold publication ethics;
• manage peer review objectively;
• communicate decisions professionally;
• investigate ethical concerns;
• implement journal policies consistently;
• protect reviewer anonymity; and
• promote transparency throughout editorial processing.

Editors shall not discriminate on the basis of:

• nationality;
• ethnicity;
• gender;
• religion;
• institutional affiliation;
• political beliefs;
• age;
• disability; or
• career stage.

Editors may reject manuscripts at any stage if publication ethics violations or serious scientific deficiencies are identified. The Editor-in-Chief retains final authority regarding all editorial decisions.

Intellectual property

BJFR respects intellectual property rights and expects all users to do likewise.

Copyright

Authors retain copyright of published articles while granting BJFR the right to publish, archive, distribute, and identify itself as the original publisher.

Open access license

Articles published by BJFR are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. This license permits users to:

• read;
• download;
• copy;
• distribute;
• print;
• share;
• adapt;
• translate;
• reproduce; and
• build upon published work,

provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and source, a link to the license is included, and any modifications are clearly indicated.

Third-party material

Authors remain responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted figures, photographs, tables, datasets, or other protected materials owned by third parties.

Website content

Except where otherwise stated, journal branding, logos, website design, editorial materials, policy documents, and other original content remain the intellectual property of BJFR or BFRI and may not be reproduced without authorization where copyright protection applies.

Privacy and confidentiality

BJFR is committed to protecting the privacy of all users and maintaining the confidentiality of editorial information.

Collection of information

The journal may collect information necessary for editorial and publishing activities, including:

• names;
• institutional affiliations;
• email addresses;
• ORCID identifiers;
• manuscript information;
• reviewer information; and
• publication metadata.

Information is collected solely for legitimate publishing purposes.

Editorial confidentiality

All submitted manuscripts, reviewer reports, editorial correspondence, and unpublished research are treated as confidential. Access is restricted to individuals directly involved in editorial processing unless disclosure is required by law or publication ethics investigations.

Reviewer anonymity

Under the double-blind peer review system, reviewer identities are protected throughout the editorial process. The journal will not disclose reviewer identities without explicit permission or unless required under exceptional legal circumstances.

Data protection

BJFR implements reasonable administrative and technical safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, loss, or disclosure. Although every reasonable effort is made to maintain system security, no online platform can guarantee absolute protection against cybersecurity risks.

Communication

By using BJFR services, users consent to receiving editorial communications relating to manuscript processing, peer review, publication, policy updates, and other journal-related matters. The journal does not sell or intentionally disclose users’ personal information to third parties for commercial marketing purposes without consent, except where required for legitimate publishing services or legal obligations.

Fees, charges and payments

The BJFR is committed to transparency regarding publication-related fees and financial policies.

Publication fees

Any publication fees, article processing charges (APCs), submission fees, or other applicable charges will be clearly stated on the official BJFR website before manuscript submission. Where no publication fee is specified, authors should not assume that any charge applies.

Payment responsibility

Where publication fees are applicable, the corresponding author is responsible for ensuring timely payment unless alternative arrangements have been approved by the Editorial Office.

Payment of publication fees does not influence editorial decisions or guarantee manuscript acceptance.

Fee waivers and discounts

If BJFR offers fee waivers or discounts, eligibility criteria and application procedures will be published on the journal website.

Requests for financial assistance are evaluated independently of the editorial process.

Refund policy

Publication-related payments are generally non-refundable once editorial processing, peer review, or production activities have commenced, unless otherwise determined by the Editorial Office under exceptional circumstances.

Corrections, withdrawals and retractions

BJFR is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. Where necessary, the journal may issue post-publication updates in accordance with its Correction and Retraction Policy.

Corrections

Minor errors that do not affect the validity of the research may be corrected through the publication of an erratum or corrigendum.

Correction notices are permanently linked to the original article.

Expressions of concern

Where substantial concerns arise regarding a published article and an investigation is ongoing, BJFR may publish an Expression of Concern to inform readers while preserving due process.

Retractions

Articles may be retracted where reliable evidence demonstrates:

• plagiarism;
• duplicate publication;
• data fabrication or falsification;
• unethical research;
• serious methodological errors;
• compromised peer review; or
• other significant publication misconduct.

Retracted articles remain part of the scholarly record and are clearly identified as retracted.

Manuscript withdrawal before publication

Authors wishing to withdraw a manuscript before publication must submit a written request explaining the reasons for withdrawal. The Editorial Office reserves the right to refuse withdrawal where publication misconduct investigations are ongoing.

Website availability and disclaimers

BJFR makes reasonable efforts to ensure continuous availability of its website and publishing services. However, uninterrupted access cannot be guaranteed. The journal may temporarily suspend services for:

• scheduled maintenance;
• software upgrades;
• security improvements;
• technical failures;
• server maintenance; or
• circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of website content, BJFR does not guarantee that all information will always be complete, current, or error-free. Links to external websites are provided solely for users’ convenience. BJFR does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, policies, or practices of third-party websites. Published articles represent the views of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BJFR, BFRI, editors, reviewers, or Editorial Board members.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, BJFR, BFRI, the Editorial Board, editors, reviewers, and affiliated personnel shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from:

• use of the journal website;
• inability to access journal services;
• publication delays;
• technical interruptions;
• loss of data;
• reliance on published information;
• external website content; or
• unauthorized access resulting from circumstances beyond reasonable control.

Users remain solely responsible for evaluating the suitability, reliability, and application of published scientific information. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded under applicable law.

Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless BJFR, BFRI, editors, Editorial Board members, reviewers, employees, contractors, and authorized representatives from any claims, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses arising from:

• violation of these Terms;
• infringement of intellectual property rights;
• submission of fraudulent or misleading information;
• publication misconduct;
• unauthorized use of journal services;
• unlawful activities conducted through journal systems; or
• breaches of applicable laws or regulations.

This indemnification obligation survives termination of a user’s relationship with the journal.

Suspension and termination

BJFR reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to its services where users violate these Terms or applicable journal policies. Grounds for suspension or termination may include:

• repeated policy violations;
• submission of fraudulent manuscripts;
• plagiarism or research misconduct;
• reviewer misconduct;
• manipulation of editorial processes;
• abusive communications;
• cyber-security threats;
• unauthorized system access; or
• other conduct that compromises the integrity or security of the journal.

Suspension or termination may include:

• temporary account restriction;
• permanent account closure;
• rejection of submitted manuscripts;
• removal from reviewer databases;
• removal from editorial positions; or
• reporting serious misconduct to relevant institutions where appropriate.

Termination of user access does not affect the journal’s right to retain editorial records necessary for publication integrity, legal compliance, or archival purposes.

Complaints and dispute resolution

BJFR is committed to resolving complaints fairly, transparently, and promptly.

Complaints may relate to:

• editorial decisions;
• peer review;
• publication ethics;
• authorship;
• conflicts of interest;
• corrections or retractions;
• website services; or
• other publishing matters.

Complaints should be submitted in writing to the Editorial Office with sufficient supporting information. The journal will investigate complaints in accordance with its published policies and internationally recognized publication ethics guidelines. Where appropriate, the journal may consult independent experts, Editorial Board members, or relevant institutions before reaching a final decision. The decision of the Editor-in-Chief, following completion of the journal’s established procedures, shall normally be considered final unless institutional investigations require further action.

20. Changes to the Terms of Service

BJFR reserves the right to modify, update, or replace these Terms of Service at any time to reflect:

• developments in scholarly publishing;
• changes in applicable laws;
• technological advances;
• editorial policy revisions;
• publication ethics standards; or
• operational requirements.

Updated Terms become effective upon publication on the official BJFR website unless a different effective date is specified. Continued use of the journal’s services after publication of revised Terms constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. Users are encouraged to review the Terms periodically.

Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms of Service shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, unless otherwise required by applicable international legal obligations. Any legal disputes relating to the operation of BJFR, to the extent permitted by law, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Bangladesh. For international users, access to the journal website is undertaken at their own initiative and responsibility. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with the laws applicable in their own jurisdictions.

Contact information

Questions regarding these Terms of Service, journal policies, manuscript submissions, publication ethics, or other editorial matters should be directed to the BJFR Editorial Office using the official contact information provided on the journal website. Official communication channels include:

• Editorial Office email;
• journal website contact form;
• official correspondence address; and
• other communication methods designated by BJFR.

Users should communicate only through official BJFR channels to ensure secure and reliable correspondence.

Entire agreement

These Terms of Service, together with the journal’s published policies and author guidelines, constitute the entire agreement governing the relationship between BJFR and its users concerning access to and use of the journal’s services. If any provision of these Terms is determined by a court or competent authority to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Failure by BJFR to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or of any other rights available to the journal. These Terms operate in conjunction with, and should be interpreted consistently with, the journal’s Publication Ethics Policy, Peer Review Policy, Authorship Policy, Copyright and Licensing Policy, Open Access Policy, Privacy Policy, and other published editorial policies.

Effective date: 15 June 2026

Last revision: 05 July 2026