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) 2-4 times a year. Currently one issue is slated for summer (june/july) and one in winter (december). The goal is to eventually add a spring and fall issue.

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Carin Wittnich, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Associate Editor: Michael Belanger, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Editorial Staff: Nesime Askin, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
E-Publishing: Luke Tan, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Editorial Board:

• Michael Belanger, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
• Richard Ellis, New York, New York, USA
• Peter Evans, Wales, UK
• Arno Gutleb, Belvaux, Luxembourg
• Toshio Kasuya, Tokyo, Japan
• Jonna Mazet, Davis, California, USA
• Andrew Trites, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Carin Wittnich, Barrie, Ontario, Canada

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

VIEW FULL INSTRUCTIONS

• 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 NOTE: Make the title is succinct and informative. Avoid unnecessary words like "Studies in...." and it must not exceed 160 characters, including spaces between words.

• 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.
• 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.

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

• 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.

• The full address for correspondence must be included along with a current and valid e-mail address and phone number for the corresponding author(s). This address will be published on the title page.

• This is an informative one-paragraph text of not more than 250 words must accompany each manuscript (see Keywords also below).

• 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.

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

• This is sometimes called "Experimental Procedures". You should 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.

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

• This is 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.

• 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.

• 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 textPlease list all authors in the reference section.

Joural Article Example:

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 Reference Example:

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.

• 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 should be used to present and summarize data or concepts that cannot be easily described using text in the body of the manuscript.
• The acceptable formats for all figues are TIFF or PDF, MS Office files (Word, Powerpoint, Excel).

• Copyright ownership of your manuscript and it must be transferred officially to The Journal of Marine Animals and Their Ecology before we can begin the peer-review process.
• The acceptable formats for all figues are TIFF or PDF, MS Office files (Word, Powerpoint, Excel).

The document Copyright Transfer and Author Declaration Statement is available online for this.
Please print and fill out this form and send it by regular mail or FAX to:
12 Burton Avenue, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, L4N 2R2
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 resubmitOnce 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.

If you have any questions regarding JMATE please contact us at editor@oers.ca.