Peer Review Policy

Peer Review Policy

The Journal of Fish Nutrition uses peer review to assess scientific quality, originality, methodological suitability, and scholarly contribution. The journal follows a single-anonymous model: reviewers know the authors’ identities, while reviewers’ identities remain confidential to authors.

Initial Assessment

Editors assess scope, submission completeness, compliance with author guidelines, originality, and ethical considerations. Manuscripts may be returned for amendments or rejected without external review. Initial assessment is targeted for completion within seven calendar days.

External Review

Manuscripts passing initial assessment are sent to at least two reviewers with relevant expertise and without conflicts that compromise objective assessment.

Reviewers evaluate the design, methods, analyses, results, discussion, references, and support for conclusions. Reviewer identities and review content are treated confidentially in accordance with the journal’s review model.

The following stage targets apply:

  • Response to a reviewer invitation: within 15 calendar days.

  • Initial review: within 14 calendar days after accepting the assignment.

  • Editorial assessment of reviews: within seven calendar days.

  • Minor revisions by authors: within 14 calendar days.

  • Major revisions by authors: within 21 calendar days.

  • Reviewer reassessment: within seven calendar days after receiving the revision.

Decisions and Revisions

Decisions may be acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection. The editor makes the final decision based on scientific evidence and reviewer recommendations. Additional reviewers may be consulted where necessary.

Authors must address every comment and identify revision locations. Revision does not guarantee acceptance. Extension requests must be submitted before the deadline.

These are stage targets, not guarantees of total acceptance or publication time. Reviewer availability and additional revision rounds may extend processing. Processing payments do not influence scientific assessment or guarantee acceptance.

Appeals

Authors may appeal through the journal’s official email address, providing the manuscript ID, scientific reasons, and supporting evidence. Appeals will be handled by an editor without conflicting interests.