Aims & Scope
International Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development (IJAR) publishes rigorous, evidence-based research advancing the science and practice of aquatic organism production, aquaculture system optimization, and sustainable management of aquatic resources for food security and economic development.
Research Domains
Tier 1: Core DomainsAquaculture Production Systems
- Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) design and optimization
- Pond, cage, and tank-based production systems
- Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)
- Aquaponics and biofloc technology
- Marine and freshwater mariculture systems
- System engineering and automation
Comparative analysis of water quality parameters and fish growth performance in RAS versus flow-through systems for tilapia production.
Aquatic Genetics & Breeding
- Selective breeding programs for aquatic species
- Genomic selection and marker-assisted breeding
- Disease resistance genetics
- Growth performance and feed efficiency traits
- Reproductive biology and breeding technologies
- Genetic diversity and conservation
Identification of SNP markers associated with viral disease resistance in shrimp populations for breeding program development.
Aquaculture Nutrition & Feeding
- Nutritional requirements of finfish and shellfish
- Feed formulation and ingredient evaluation
- Alternative protein sources and feed sustainability
- Feeding strategies and feed conversion optimization
- Nutrient metabolism and digestibility
- Functional feeds and immunonutrition
Evaluation of insect meal as a fishmeal replacement in salmon diets: effects on growth, feed efficiency, and fillet quality.
Aquatic Health Management
- Disease diagnosis and pathogen characterization
- Bacterial, viral, and parasitic disease control
- Immunology and vaccine development
- Biosecurity protocols and disease prevention
- Antimicrobial alternatives and probiotics
- Health monitoring and diagnostic technologies
Development and efficacy testing of a novel vaccine against white spot syndrome virus in Pacific white shrimp.
Environmental Management
Water quality management, effluent treatment, environmental impact assessment, climate change adaptation strategies, and ecosystem-based aquaculture approaches.
Aquaculture Biotechnology
Molecular tools for breeding, gene expression studies, cryopreservation techniques, cell culture applications, and biotechnological innovations in production.
Socio-Economics & Policy
Economic viability analysis, market dynamics, value chain optimization, policy frameworks, social impacts, and livelihood assessments in aquaculture communities.
Species-Specific Research
Finfish (salmon, tilapia, catfish, carp), crustaceans (shrimp, crab), mollusks (oysters, mussels), seaweed cultivation, and ornamental fish production.
Aquatic Physiology
Stress physiology, osmoregulation, reproductive physiology, growth mechanisms, and metabolic responses to environmental and nutritional factors.
Technology & Innovation
Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, sensor technologies, automated monitoring systems, precision aquaculture, and digital farming tools.
Selective Consideration: The following emerging areas are considered on a case-by-case basis with additional editorial review to ensure strong aquaculture relevance and methodological rigor.
Cellular Agriculture
Cell-based seafood production, tissue engineering for aquatic products, and in vitro cultivation technologies with commercial aquaculture applications.
Microbiome Research
Gut microbiome characterization, microbiome manipulation for health and growth, and probiotic development with demonstrated aquaculture outcomes.
Circular Economy Models
Waste valorization, nutrient recovery systems, by-product utilization, and closed-loop production systems in aquaculture contexts.
Climate-Resilient Aquaculture
Adaptation strategies for ocean acidification, temperature extremes, and changing environmental conditions affecting aquatic production systems.
Explicit Exclusions
- Clinical Veterinary Medicine: Patient-level clinical case reports, veterinary surgical techniques, or companion animal medicine without aquaculture system context.
- General Oceanography: Physical, chemical, or geological oceanography studies without direct application to aquaculture production or management.
- Wild Fisheries Management: Capture fisheries, stock assessment, or wild population dynamics unless directly relevant to aquaculture broodstock or integrated farming systems.
- Terrestrial Agriculture: Crop science, livestock production, or soil science without explicit aquatic or aquaponics integration.
- General Environmental Science: Broad ecological or pollution studies without specific focus on aquaculture impacts, mitigation, or production optimization.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Expedited Review (4-6 weeks)
Regular Review (6-8 weeks)
Selective Acceptance
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- ARRIVE guidelines for animal research
- CONSORT for randomized trials
- STROBE for observational studies
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- MIQE for qPCR experiments
Data & Transparency
- Raw data deposition encouraged
- Code and analysis scripts sharing
- Materials availability statements
- Reproducibility documentation
- Conflict of interest disclosure
Ethics Requirements
- Institutional animal care approval
- Ethical treatment documentation
- Environmental impact assessment
- Informed consent (human subjects)
- Biosafety protocol compliance
Publication Policies
- Preprints accepted and encouraged
- Open data and open access options
- Post-publication peer review
- Corrections and retractions policy
- Authorship and contribution criteria
Decision Metrics & Timeline
Editorial Performance Indicators
Questions About Scope? If you are uncertain whether your manuscript fits within our scope, we encourage you to submit a pre-submission inquiry with your abstract and key findings. Our editorial team will provide guidance within 5 business days to help you make an informed submission decision.
