Current Issue - Volume 2, Issue 1, June 2009

Past Issue - Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2008

The Journal of Marine Animals and Their Ecology is an electronic journal focused but not limited to issues related to the preservation of the marine environment, protection, conservation, rescue and rehabilitation of marine life. The unique goal of the journal is to attract a diverse and broad consumer base by having a multi-disciplinary approach to the issues. This will increase interest and readership while facilitating exchange of ideas and knowledge in this rapidly growing field.

It is hoped that it will become an equally popular read for the scientist, biologist, rehabilitator, veterinarian or the public.

The journal is available to the public free of charge and is electronically published by the Oceanographic Environmental Research Society (OERS) 4 times a year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter issues.

Editorial Board & Managers

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Carin Wittnich, Barrie, ON

Associate Editor: Michael Belanger, Barrie, ON

Electronic Journal Manager: Mr. Danny Quaglietta, Toronto, ON

Editorial Board:

Michael Belanger, Barrie, ON

Carin Wittnich, Barrie, ON

Nesime Askin, Toronto, ON

Categories for Publication

1. Original manuscripts are accepted in the following areas:

Science of Marine Animals (research etc)
Techniques in Marine Animals (practical hands on tips etc)
Medical Care of Marine Animals
Environment related to Marine Animals

• May be up to 5000 words (including title page, abstract, figure legends and references).
• Submissions may include up to 4 figures/tables.
• For submissions that are complete and formal works of research we recommend that the manuscript contain all the different headings summarized in the instructions to authors described below.
• Submissions that may not necessarily be formal and complete research projects but may be valuable to inform the community regarding techniques, medical/other care and environment related to marine mammals, we require a title page, abstract, keywords, introduction, discussion, acknowledgements (if appropriate) and references. Authors are welcome to use the other sections outlined in the instructions to authors at their discretion.

2. Reviews and Invited Commentaries

• May be up to 5000 words (including title page, abstract, figure legends and references).
• Submission may include no more than 4 figures/tables.
• Submission must have: title page, abstract, keywords, introduction, discussion, acknowledgement (if appropriate), references.

3. Brief Communication - News in Marine Mammals

• May be up to 2000 words (including title page, abstract, figure legends and references)
• Submission may include up to two figures/tables.
• No other instructions to authors criteria apply to this submission type.

4. Letters to the Editor

• No instructions to authors criteria apply to this submission type.

Complete information on categories of submission, instructions for authors, the submission and review process are also available in PDF format.

- Full Instructions -

Title Page

The title page must contain the title of the article; author(s) name(s); all departments and institutions in which the work was done; an abbreviated title for the running head; and the name, e-mail, and address for correspondence.

Title

Make the title succinct and informative. Avoid unnecessary words like "Studies in....". The title must not exceed 160 characters, including spaces between words.

Authors

List all authors' names and their first names or initials exactly as they should be known, in the order of importance of their contribution to the study. Do not include any specific titles (e.g., PhD, MD, and Prof. are not needed). "Group authorship" is allowed, with the name of a group (such as a consortium or program) to be listed as an author, with members of the group listed in the Acknowledgements section; however, the Program Director of the named group must be the one who signs for the group.

Affiliation

List all departments and institutions in which the work was done, with city and state or country. Identify each author's affiliation by superscript numbers matched to the appropriate institution.

Running head

The running head is an abbreviated version of the title, which will appear at the top of every page subsequent to the first page. Running heads must not exceed 55 characters including spaces between words.

Contact information

A full address for correspondence must be included, with a current, valid e-mail address and phone number for the corresponding author. This address will be published on the title page.

Abstract

An informative one-paragraph abstract of not more than 250 words must accompany each manuscript.

Keywords

Include three to five words or short phrases, relevant to the article, that do not appear in the title or running head. These should be included on the same page as the abstract.


Introduction

Provide a brief overview of the scope and relevance of the paper, especially with regard to previous advancements in related fields.


Materials and Methods

Sometimes called "Experimental Procedures". Describe techniques, cell/animal models used, and lists of reagents, chemicals, and equipment, as well as the names of manufacturers and suppliers, so that your study can be most easily replicated by others.


Results

Provide the data and results as well as the particular statistical significance of the data if applicable.


Discussion

(Sometimes combined with the results in a section called "Results and Discussion"). Explain your interpretation of the data, especially compared with previously published material cited in the References.


Acknowledgements

List the people indirectly involved with the work to whom you may wish to give thanks. Also, current addresses of authors (if they differ from those in the affiliation line) should be included here. You may also list the grants, fellowships, and donations that funded (partially or completely) the research.


References

Authors are responsible for accuracy of citations. References must be limited to directly pertinent published works or papers that have been accepted for publication. An abstract, properly identified as "Abstract", may be cited only when it is the sole source.
References should be double-spaced, arranged alphabetically by author, and numbered serially. The reference number should be placed in parentheses at the appropriate place in the text.  Please list all authors in the reference section.

EXAMPLES:

Journal Articles

1. Hastie GD, Rosen DAS, Trites AW.  Reductions in oxygen consumption during dives and estimated submergence limitations of Stellar sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus).  Marine Mammal Science 23:272-286. 2007.

Book References

1. Wittnich C, Belanger MP, Askin N, Bandali K, Wallen WJ. Awash in a Sea of Heavy metals – Mercury pollution and Marine Mammals. Toronto: OERS, 2004, p. 25-26.
2. Hoyt E. Habitat protection for cetaceans around the world:status and prospects. In: Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, edited by Hoyt E: Earthscan, 2005.

Figure Legends

Figure legends must be included for every figure and table presented in the manuscript.  Descriptions should be succinct and must not be a duplication of what is stated in the body of the manuscript.


Figures and Tables

Figures and tables should be used to present and summarize data or concepts that cannot be easily described using text in the body of the manuscript. 

TIFF or PDF, MS Office files (Word, Powerpoint, Excel)  are acceptable formats for all figures.


Copyright

Copyright ownership of your manuscript must be transferred officially to The Journal of Marine Animals and Their Ecology before we can begin the peer-review process.

Please fill out the following form and mail to 12 Burton Ave., Barrie Ont, L4N 2R2 or
fax to 416-978-8765.

All manuscripts must be submitted to the Journal in Microsoft WORD (.doc) format, double spaced with 12 font and one inch margins.

All submissions must be sent to the Editor at editor@oers.ca.

When submitting email:

1. In the Subject heading, include the category in which you would like your manuscript to be considered (i.e. JMATE Submission - "Original Manuscript")
2. In the email text, please indicate:
   • if the copyright transfer form has been faxed or mailed
   • potential reviewers, their area of expertise and their contact email address
   • any reviewers that you do not wish to have your submission reviewed by

Within 24 hours of submission, the corresponding author will be sent an email confirming receipt of the manuscript.

The submission will be reviewed by the managing editor and sent to the appropriate reviewer(s).

A final decision on any submission will be made and communicated to the corresponding author within 3 weeks of the date of submission.

In the event the reviewer(s) feel that revisions are required prior to the official acceptance of the submission, the authors will have 2 weeks to revise and resubmit.  Once the submission is accepted for publication, a final electronic version will be sent to the corresponding author for final review and approval must be received within 48 hours of receipt of the electronic proof.