Announcements

The congress theme, “Aquaculture: seas and rivers of opportunities”, indicates that aquaculture activity should be central to the concept of “blue growth” and should be a source of opportunities for entrepreneurship and the generation of jobs associated with this economic activity. The objective of the XVIII CNA, organized by the Spanish Aquaculture Society (SEA), is to support this idea and allow the results presented therein to contribute to its consolidation.

The congress, as usual, will be a place for different agents of the aquaculture sector to meet and debate, focusing on various aspects of aquaculture (nutrition and feeding, welfare, reproduction, genetics, economy and production, species diversification, engineering and technology, instrumentation and aquaculture processes, environmental sustainability, aquaculture management, etc.). In addition, it is expected to highlight the future lines that government authorities are designing for the sector.

Selected authors from the XVIII Spanish National Aquaculture Congress are invited to submit their original research and review papers to the Special Issue “Selected Papers from the XVIII Spanish National Aquaculture Congress Cádiz 2022—Aquaculture: Seas and Rivers of Opportunities” of Fishes (ISSN: 2410-3888), which will be fully peer reviewed for further selection and publication. More information about the Special Issue can be found here: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/fishes/special_issues/OU017LG21H.

The Fishes journal will also sponsor the Best Poster award, and the winner will be selected by the conference.

To find out more about the conference please visit the following link: https://www.seacongresos.org/.

We are pleased to share that 38 Editorial Board Members from MDPI’s Fishes (ISSN: 2410-3888) were featured in Stanford’s List of the World's Top 2% Scientists. The list was created by Prof. John P. A. Ioannidis from Stanford University and his research team. They have created a publicly available database of 100,000 top-cited scientists that provides standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions and a composite indicator (c-score). Scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 176 sub-fields.

We would like to congratulate our Editorial Board Members on their excellent achievement and thank them for their immense contribution to the scientific progression and development of Fishes.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Bror Jonsson has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Biology and Ecology” in Fishes (ISSN: 2410-3888).

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Bror Jonsson, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his view of the research area and open access publishing:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?

During the last 30 years, I have been a member of editorial boards of several ecological and biological journals, and I really like reviewing and editing scientific manuscripts to make them clearer, more informative and useful for an international readership. I like the journal Fishes for accepting such a wide variety of manuscripts from genetics, physiology and toxicology to systematics, ecology, fisheries science and conservation of ecosystems and species.

2. What does the future of this field of research look like?

I feel that the effects on organisms of environmental problems, such as climate change and pollution, will be even more pressing in the future. I assume that these effects will influence many of the future submissions within the fields of biology and ecology. These environmental problems affect all ontogenetic stages from eggs to adults and influence life histories in a variety of ways because of evolutionary selection, epigenetics and phenotypic plasticity. We have only seen the beginning of the research on these ecological effects. Earlier, a large part of the ecological literature was based on field studies, but there is a trend towards more experimental studies and a combination of the two, as well as analyses of time series to detect causes and effects in aquatic systems. I think this is the way future research in this field will grow.

3. What is your vision for the journal?

Because of its wide scope, I assume the journal will grow quickly, given that prominent scientists find it attractive. The present Editorial Board will do its best to increase its attractiveness. It is self-evident that good papers from eminent scientists are the fastest way to success for a scientific journal, and I assume that Fishes will increase its efforts to attract good researchers.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?

Open access is mandatory for the dissemination of results from research work financed by research councils, at least in many European countries. Scientists have presented different views on the need for open access publishing, but at present, open access publishing has become politically correct and is therefore the future for all scientific publishing. Typically, public money finances scientific research, and open presentation of the results seems correct.

We wish Prof. Dr. Jonsson every success both in his research and in the development of the Fishes journal.

Further details about the Editorial Board can be found at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/fishes/editors.

1. “Morphometric Relationships of the Global Invader Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae) from Papapouli Lagoon, NW Aegean Sea, Greece. with Notes on Its Ecological Preferences”
by Thodoros E. Kampouris et al.
Fishes 2020, 5(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes5010005
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/1/5

2. “Nutritional and Growth Effect of Insect Meal Inclusion on Seabass (Dicentrarchuss labrax) Feeds”
by María Reyes et al.
Fishes 2020, 5(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes5020016
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/2/16

3. “Biocontrol of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Australia: A Review and Future Directions”
by Kenneth A McColl et al.
Fishes 2020, 5(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes5020017
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/2/17

4. “Yellowstone Lake Ecosystem Restoration: A Case Study for Invasive Fish Management”
by Todd M. Koel et al.
Fishes 2020, 5(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes5020018
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/2/18

5. “The Application of Single-Cell Ingredients in Aquaculture Feeds—A Review”
by Brett D. Glencross et al.
Fishes 2020, 5(3), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes5030022
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/3/22

6. “Trends in Growth Modeling in Fisheries Science”
by Shane A. Flinn et al.
Fishes 2021, 6(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6010001
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/1/1

7. “Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience”
by Jonah L. Yick et al.
Fishes 2021, 6(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6010006
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/1/6

8. “Slight Increases in Salinity Improve Muscle Quality of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)”
by Xi Zhang et al.
Fishes 2021, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6010007
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/1/7

9. “Bioproduction of Prodigiosin from Fishery Processing Waste Shrimp Heads and Evaluation of Its Potential Bioactivities”
by Van Bon Nguyen et al.
Fishes 2021, 6(3), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6030030
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/3/30

10. “Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Gut Integrity, and Economic Revenue of Grey Mullet, Mugil cephalus, Fed an Increasing Level of Dried Zooplankton Biomass Meal as Fishmeal Substitutions”
by Hamdy A. Abo-Taleb et al.
Fishes 2021, 6(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6030038
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/3/38

Peer Review Week began 19 September 2022 under the theme of “Research Integrity: Creating and Supporting Trust in Research”. Through various blog articles, podcast, and webinar, we discussed this crucial subject throughout the week, celebrating the essential role peer review plays in maintaining research quality.

To begin, we held a Webinar on the topic. Professor Peter W. Choate and Dr. Emmanuel Obeng-Gyasi joined Dr. Ioana Craciun, one of MDPI’s scientific officers, for an in-depth discussion.

We invite you to view the event recording:

During the week, the MDPI Blog in a series articles highlighted how good Peer Review safeguards research integrity. The following topics were covered:

• Peer Review Week 2022
• Research Integrity
• What We’ve Learned About Peer Review Reports
• 4 Steps to the Perfect Peer Review Report
• How to Write the Perfect Peer Review Report: An Interview
• Inviting Great Peer Reviewers

In a new edition of Insight Faster, an MDPI podcast, we were delighted to talk to the co-chairs of the Peer Review Week committee, Jayashree Rajagopalan (Senior Manager of Global Community Engagement for CACTUS) and Danielle Padula (Head of Marketing and Community Development at Scholastica) to get their take on this year’s event and its related topics.

You can find the Podcast here.

We hope you enjoy the contents!

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative—the Special Issue Mentor Program.

This program intends to provide an opportunity for early career scientists to enhance their editing, networking, and organizational skills and to work closely with our journal to gain more editorial experience. Early career scientists who have novel ideas for new Fishes Special Issues will act as Guest Editors under the mentorship of an experienced scientist; this mentor could be a member of the Editorial Board of Fishes (ISSN: 2410-3888) or could be from other well-established research institutes or laboratories, etc.

The mentee’s responsibilities include:

• Providing a CV that includes a list of publications;
• Proposing a Special Issue title and a short introduction;
• Writing a brief promotion plan for the Special Issue;
• Writing an editorial for the online Special Issue;
• Reviewing and making decisions for submissions under the mentorship of our Editorial Board Members.

The mentor’s responsibilities include:

• Conducting a final check before the Special Issue is published online;
• Co-editing a Special Issue with a young scholar and performing quality control of the publications in the Special Issue;
• Providing suggestions to young scholars if they have doubts or concerns regarding submissions;
• Organizing video calls with young scholars and the office regularly to discuss problems and improvement suggestions for the Special Issue.

Certificates and awards:

When the Special Issue is closed, the Editorial Office will provide official certificates for all of the mentors. The young scholars will be prioritized as candidates for future editions of the Fishes Award.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your Special Issue proposal to the Fishes Editorial Office (fishes@mdpi.com), and we will discuss the process (mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail.

In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, Fishes continues to welcome all Special Issue proposals based on hot research topics.

Fishes Editorial Office

To reward the academic community, especially young researchers, and enhance communication among scientists, Fishes (ISSN: 2410-3888) is offering an award to encourage young researchers in the field of fishes and aquatic animals.

Fishes is currently accepting nominations for the Fishes 2023 Travel Award. This award provides financial support for the winner to attend an international conference in the field of fishes and aquatic animals to be held in 2023, in order to hold a presentation, present a poster, or both.

Find more information about the award and how to nominate here.

To request further information, please contact the Fishes Editorial Office (fishes@mdpi.com).

The Fishes (ISSN: 2410-3888) Editorial Office is pleased to inform you that applications are open for the Topical Advisory Panel.

The following are the main responsibilities of the new members of the Topical Advisory Panel:

• Providing support to the following tasks depending on their availability;
• Providing regular reviews of manuscripts;
• Setting up at least one Special Issue (SI) in partnership with a senior researcher within two years of the appointment. The topic of the proposal should be within the scope of Fishes;
• Providing a strategy plan for the SI, including assisting in preparing the Special Issue’s/Topic’s title, aim and scope, summary, and keywords, as well as soliciting papers for and promoting the SI;
• Promoting our journal at conferences, social media, and other relevant platforms.

To qualify as a Topical Advisory Panel Member, applicants must:

• Have expertise and experience in the field related to Fishes (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/fishes/about);
• Have completed their Ph.D. within approximately the last 10 years;
• Have published at least six papers in the last 5 years as a first author or corresponding author;
• Currently hold an independent research position in academia or a government institute.

Each year, Members’ performance is evaluated, and outstanding Members are promoted to the Editorial Board by the Editor-in-Chief. Please click on the following link to submit your application: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/fishes/topical_advisory_panel_application.

If you are interested in this role, please contact the Editorial Office (fishes@mdpi.com).

Fishes Editorial Office

A range of MDPI journals will be attending INTECOL 2022 as exhibitors. This meeting will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 28 August to 2 September 2022.

“Frontiers in Ecology – Science and Society” is the general theme of the conference. With an estimated number of 1500 participants coming to Geneva, and as many following the conference from a distance, the conference aims to bring the state-of-the-art expertise in ecology to the forefront of societal challenges.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Diversity (leading);
• Sustainability;
• Forests;
• Ecologies;
• Environments;
• Plants;
• Animals;
• World;
• Quaternary;
• Earth;
• Resources;
• Applied Sciences;
• Birds;
• Climate;
• Water;
• Fishes.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us at our booth #03. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit http://intecol2021.org/, or contact the Diversity Editorial Office at diversity@mdpi.com.

We are pleased to report that the 2021 impact factor of Fishes (ISSN: 2410-3888) increased to 3.170 in the recent release of the Journal Citation Reports ®, representing the second consecutive year of continuous growth. Fishes now ranks 23/113 (Q1) in the “Marine & Freshwater Biology” category as well as 15/54 (Q2) in the “Fisheries” category. Thank you to the authors, Editorial Board Members, and reviewers for their contributions in achieving this milestone for Fishes!