These instructions outline how to prepare and submit manuscripts to IJARD. The journal publishes aquaculture research across production systems, aquatic animal health, and sustainability. Submissions should emphasize reproducible methods, validated trials, and clear reporting.

Authors are responsible for ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to ethical standards.

• Original research articles with validated aquaculture outcomes
• Review articles and systematic reviews
• Methods and tools papers with benchmark results
• Short communications and technical notes
• Perspective pieces on aquaculture applications

• Title page with author affiliations and corresponding author contact
• Structured abstract with objectives, methods, results, and conclusions
• Introduction with background and aquaculture rationale
• Methods detailing culture conditions, sampling, and controls
• Results with validation metrics and statistical analysis
• Discussion outlining implications and limitations
• Data availability statement and references

Provide clear descriptions of culture conditions, stocking densities, feed protocols, and water quality monitoring. Include validation datasets and explain how performance or health outcomes were quantified.

• Specify species, life stage, and system type
• Report water quality parameters and monitoring frequency
• Describe feeding regimes and diet composition
• Include replication and statistical approaches

Authors must include a data availability statement describing where data and code can be accessed. Deposit datasets in reliable repositories and provide persistent identifiers when available.

• Provide repository links and accession numbers
• Share code or provide detailed workflow descriptions
• Document data preprocessing and quality checks
• Explain any access restrictions or embargoes

Manuscripts involving animals or human data must include appropriate ethics approvals. Authors must disclose conflicts of interest and funding sources.

• CONSORT for randomized trials
• STROBE for observational studies
• PRISMA for systematic reviews
• Domain specific aquaculture reporting standards when applicable

IJARD uses single blind peer review. Reviewers evaluate trial rigor, data quality, and clarity of reporting. Initial decisions are typically issued within two to four weeks depending on reviewer availability.

Accepted manuscripts move to production for copyediting, proof review, and DOI registration. Articles are published under CC BY 4.0 to support open access reuse with attribution.

Authors should review proofs promptly to confirm accuracy of figures, tables, and metadata.

APCs are applied after acceptance and cover peer review management, production, and archiving services. Partial waivers may be available for eligible authors. Contact the editorial office for guidance.

• Scope alignment confirmed
• Culture conditions and controls documented
• Data availability statement included
• Validation results reported
• Cover letter prepared with scope summary

For questions about formatting or submission steps, contact [email protected].

Report stocking densities, water quality parameters, and husbandry conditions so readers can interpret results across production systems.

Include details on species, strain, age, and life stage to support reproducibility and comparisons across studies.

When reporting feed trials, describe diet formulation, feeding schedules, and conversion metrics used to evaluate performance.

If disease challenges are part of the study, specify pathogen strain, exposure protocol, and biosecurity measures applied.

Discuss environmental sustainability implications, including effluent management, resource efficiency, and ecosystem impacts when relevant.

Provide clear descriptions of sampling methods, replication, and statistical models to support robust interpretation.

If selective breeding or genetics are involved, report breeding design, pedigree structure, and selection criteria.

Describe how welfare considerations were addressed, including anesthesia, handling, and mortality monitoring.

When reporting growth performance, include baseline measurements and explain normalization methods.

If trials involve recirculating systems or aquaponics, detail system configuration, filtration, and monitoring protocols.

Explain how climate or seasonal variables may influence results and how they were controlled or measured.

Provide clarity on production scale, such as laboratory, pilot, or commercial, to contextualize applicability.

Discuss limitations such as short trial duration, species-specific constraints, or site-specific conditions.

Include a brief statement on how findings translate to industry practice without overstating conclusions.

If data are restricted, describe access pathways and provide sufficient methodological detail for independent verification.

Early communication with the editorial office can help confirm scope fit and avoid delays during initial screening.

When presenting economic outcomes, clarify assumptions, cost inputs, and pricing scenarios used in analysis.

Report any adverse events or unexpected outcomes to provide a balanced understanding of interventions.

Document acclimation periods and baseline health assessments before trials so reviewers can interpret growth and survival outcomes accurately.

Clarify tank or cage volumes, stocking densities, and flow rates to ensure production performance can be compared across studies.

Describe biosecurity protocols, quarantine steps, and pathogen screening to contextualize health outcomes and mortality reporting.

Include details on water chemistry targets, monitoring instruments, and calibration schedules to support reproducible water quality management.

When reporting feed efficiency, specify feed ingredient sources, pellet size, and storage conditions that may influence performance metrics.

Provide clear definitions of welfare indicators and how they were measured or scored during the study period.

Explain how seasonal variability or site-specific conditions were addressed in experimental design or statistical models.

If using imaging, sensors, or automation systems, describe calibration, data validation, and error mitigation approaches.

For comparative studies, state the rationale for control selection and any historical benchmarks used for interpretation.

Report any regulatory permits, facility accreditations, or animal care protocols relevant to the study.

Include information on water reuse, effluent treatment, and sustainability practices when environmental impacts are assessed.

Describe handling and sampling frequency to clarify potential stress effects on performance or health indicators.

If commercial-scale trials are included, explain how results translate to farm operations and operational constraints.

When reporting survival outcomes, distinguish between disease-related mortality and operational losses where possible.

Summarize how results contribute to responsible aquaculture practices and long-term resource stewardship.

Provide clear descriptions of sensory or quality assessments for harvested products when relevant to market outcomes.

State whether antimicrobial or therapeutic agents were used and describe withdrawal periods or residue monitoring.

Describe environmental monitoring data management, including sensor placement and frequency of data logging.

Clarify how replicate units were randomized or allocated to reduce bias in experimental outcomes.

Discuss how genetic or breeding interventions align with ethical and sustainability considerations in aquaculture.

Include a brief note on stakeholder or industry relevance, such as farmer adoption or regulatory implications.

Include a structured abstract with clear objectives, methods, results, and conclusions to support rapid editorial screening.

Use SI units throughout and define all abbreviations on first use to maintain clarity for international readers.

Provide figure legends that explain experimental context, sample sizes, and statistical annotations without requiring cross reference.

Tables should be editable and include clear headings, units, and footnotes describing statistical tests.

Confirm that all references include DOIs where available and match the in text citations exactly.

Disclose funding sources, grant numbers, and any potential conflicts of interest in the manuscript.

Provide statements describing ethics approvals, permits, and adherence to animal welfare guidelines where applicable.

When reporting multistage trials, describe enrollment, exclusions, and attrition to support reproducibility.

IJARD is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing in aquaculture research. We emphasize reproducible methods, complete data statements, and ethical compliance across all article types.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage continuous improvement in reporting practices and share updates that help the community maintain high standards in aquaculture and fisheries research.