Editor-in-Chief Sought for NAJA and JAAH

The American Fisheries Society (AFS) seeks an aquaculturist and a fish health professional to serve as the inaugural editor-in-chief (EIC) of the North American Journal of Aquaculture (NAJA) and the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health (JAAH). The successful candidate will have practical knowledge of intensive and extensive fish culture, as well as a broad perspective on diseases and disorders of fish and other aquatic animals, disease pathogenesis, diagnostic methods, the design and conduct of experimental bioassays, and research writing. Experience in reviewing and publishing in AFS journals preferred.

Affiliated with AFS’s Fish Culture Section, the North American Journal of Aquaculture publishes papers on new research and practical experience in all areas of intensive and extensive aquaculture. It covers efforts to scientifically improve the production and well-being of finfish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms that are of importance to not only North Americans but also the global aquaculture community. It also encourages papers on practical knowledge that improves the design, husbandry, and/or health of aquatic species. Topics include, but are not limited to, nutrition and feeding; system design; broodstock genetics, selection, and spawning; drugs and chemicals; health and water quality; and testing new techniques and equipment for the management and rearing of aquatic species.

The Journal of Aquatic Animal Health is published under the guidance of the American Fisheries Society’s Fish Health Section. It serves the international community of scientists and culturists concerned with the health of aquatic organisms. The journal carries research papers on the causes, effects, treatments, and prevention of diseases of marine and freshwater organisms, particularly fish and shellfish. In addition, JAAH contains papers that describe biochemical and physiological investigations into fish health that relate to assessing the impacts of both environmental and pathogenic features.

Duties include:

• Work closely with the AFS editorial office and the journal editorial boards;
• Help recruit and retain editors and associate editors, provide mentoring and guidance to editors and associate editors and regularly review editorial board performance;
• Conduct an initial assessment of each submission and assign submissions to an appropriate editor and associate editor;
• Advise on ethical issues as they arise;
• Solicit manuscripts to ensure broad coverage, and identify critical and timely science issues that the journals should address;
• Ensure that each journal’s objectives and mission are being met, and revise or refine the vision for the journals in collaboration with journals’ staff and other AFS EICs;
• Attend monthly virtual meetings with fellow AFS EICs to ensure program cohesion; and
• Make recommendations to enhance the vitality and prestige of each journal.

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In 2023, AFS convened a special committee representing a diverse cross-section of membership to discuss future direction and operation of AFS journals. Goals in progress for NAJA and JAAH are as follows:

1. Prepare the journals for an open access future.
2. Increase the international visibility and impact of the journals.
3. Increase the efficiency, capacity, and quality of each journal.
4. Increase the geographic, topical, and demographic representation of the editorial board and submitting authors.
5. Evaluate aims and scope of each journal.

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Please describe how you would support these initiatives in your letter of interest. Also, include your vision for NAJA and JAAH and outline your top priorities for the journals if they differ from those listed above.

The EIC is appointed for a three-year renewable term. The EIC receives a $10,000 annual stipend paid quarterly, and full financial support to attend the AFS Annual Meeting.

To be considered, send a current curriculum vitae along with a letter of interest by e-mail to [email protected].

To nominate a highly qualified colleague, send a letter of recommendation to the same e-mail address.

Position to remain open until filled.