Marine and Coastal Fisheries

Scope

Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science publishes original and innovative research that synthesizes information on biological organization across spatial and temporal scales to promote ecologically sound fisheries science and management. This open-access, online journal published by the American Fisheries Society provides an international venue for studies of marine, coastal, and estuarine fisheries, with emphasis on species' performance and responses to perturbations in their environment, and promotes the development of ecosystem-based fisheries science and management. The journal encourages contributors to identify and address challenges in population dynamics, assessment techniques and management approaches, human dimensions and socioeconomics, and ecosystem metrics to improve fisheries science in general and make informed predictions and decisions. In addition to publishing peer-reviewed articles, the journal will offer a "Fisheries Forum" that gives readers an opportunity to discuss topical issues in near-real time, and it encourages the submission of "essays" (peer-reviewed comments) on relevant subjects for that section. Reflecting the broad range of ecosystems, issues, and perspectives included in the scope of the journal, contributions that are inclusive and interdisciplinary are encouraged. Major themes include but are not limited to the following: Fisheries biology and ecology (including age and growth, reproduction, behavior, physiology, stock identification, genetics, larval dispersal, and life histories) at different spatiotemporal scales as well as species' performance and responses to perturbation, restoration, and management actions The biology, ecology, assessment, and management of marine birds, invertebrates, and mammals related to fisheries and ecosystem topics Population demographics and dynamics Habitat as a resource in space and time Food webs, trophic dynamics, and prey resources.