The Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science publishes peer-reviewed papers that reflect NAFO’s objectives of sustainable fisheries management and conservation. The Journal focuses on the Northwest Atlantic Ocean but also welcomes contributions of general applicability to fisheries science. Emphasis is placed on environmental, biological, economic and social science aspects of fisheries and their interactions with marine habitats and ecosystems. Scientific symposia sponsored by NAFO or in collaboration with other international scientific fisheries organizations, like the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) are published in special volumes of the Journal.

General Editor: Tom Blasdale  (NAFO Secretariat)

Associate Editors:
T. Bjørndal, Norway
D. Deslauriers, Canada (Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada)
K. F. Drinkwater (Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway)
L. Hendrickson National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
D. W. Kulka (DFO Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada)
M. J. Morgan (DFO Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada)
R. Rideout (DFO Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada)
D. Wilson, The Institute for Fisheries Management, Hirtshals, Denmark

Publications Manager: Alexis Pacey (NAFO Secretariat)

Publisher: Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)

Copyright: The Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science has an open access policy. The following "Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 2.5 Canada": deed applies:

You may copy and distribute the work and to make derivative works under the following conditions: Attribution - you must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor, and Noncommercial - you may not use this work for commercial purposes. Any of these conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder. Your fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above. Further details can be obtained at the following website: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ca/legalcode.en. and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ca/

History of the Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science

The International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF), inspired by the large amount of relevant fisheries research conducted by scientists of its member countries, started publishing the “ICNAF Research Bulletin” as an annual scientific publication in 1964. The objective of this journal was to create a high standard scientific publication that served the requirements of the Commission and also stimulated research efforts in the member countries.  

When the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Convention was established in 1979, NAFO’s Scientific Council inherited much of the structure and traditions of ICNAF including the Research Bulletin which received a new name and since 1980 has continued as the “Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science”.  The NAFO Scientific Council established an Editorial Board with a General Editor and Associate Editors. Scientific Council’s Standing Committee on Publications (STACPUB) defines the terms of reference for the journal.

Beginning in 2004, NAFO introduced a website dedicated solely to its scientific journal. The purpose of this website is:  (a) to allow more rapid publication of individual papers thus avoiding the delays inevitably connected to a print publication, and (b) to achieve a wider reader distribution.

We hope you enjoy the Journal!