4 December 2011 Taking the helm I have agreed to become the next Editor-in-Chief of World Aquaculture magazine, taking over from Bob Stickney with the March 2012 issue. I’m excited about the opportunity, but a certain amount of anxiety accompanies my decision because Bob and the magazine team have developed a high-quality publication and there are elevated standards to uphold. It’s a bit like reaching out to grab a fast-moving train from a dead stop. I know that my metaphorical arm will not be ripped from its socket because the system in place is solid and functioning well. I know that the magazine team will pull me up along the learning curve very quickly. I hope the readership will forgive or overlook any blemishes that appear in the next few issues. For these, I will – in advance – take full responsibility. Given that WAS is 3,000 members strong, it is obvious that most of you do not know who I am and what makes me qualified to be the new Editor-in-Chief. Rather than give you a full resumè, let me simply state that my career in aquaculture spans more than three decades. I have experience working as a university research scientist and, more recently, as an independent consultant to the commercial sector and for development projects. I joined WAS in 1983, shortly after attending my first conference in Washington, DC (USA). I have been an Associate Editor of the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society for 16 years, so I have abundant experience editing manuscripts. There are also a few edited books out there that some readers might find of interest. Cumulatively, this experience gives me confidence that I can rise to the challenge of shepherding the magazine onward. In thinking about the future and how the magazine might change, especially in this moment of transition, it is useful to look back and examine our humble origins. I remember the days of the short-lived 16-page WAS Newsletter that emerged once the proceedings of the annual meetings were discontinued and replaced by the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society in 1986. The first issue of World Aquaculture magazine appeared in 1988. On the inside front cover of that issue, the first editor, Dave Aiken, wrote an editorial to introduce the magazine that was prescient and remains relevant today. His vision for a magazine with articles characterized by “brevity, lucidity, practical significance, and general interest” intended for an audience that is “a mix of lay and professional, scientist and entrepreneur” has largely come to fruition. This will continue to be the operational guidance for World Aquaculture magazine. It is not often that new leaders state their intention to uphold the status quo, but this is my goal, at least for now, until I get my editorial legs beneath me and the magazine team is operating in synchrony. A recent survey suggests that the membership is generally satisfied with the magazine as currently configured. Any initial changes that come will be small and guided by the idea of improving the quality and relevance of magazine content. The magazine has not been, nor will it ever be all things to every member, but there should be at least one article in each issue that will strike a chord. The magazine should always be worth skimming all the way through. Research articles are favored by the membership, so these will continue to be the bedrock of the magazine. If possible, we’ll continue to try to publish articles about aquaculture near the site of upcoming annual conferences. The magazine will continue to be an important source of gray literature and represent an important publication outlet for young scientists or researchers in developing countries. Some members have expressed interest in expanding the presence of the magazine on the WAS website. For now, it is a matter that remains under discussion. Having been involved with the WAS website from the very beginning, I know that the web presence will continue to expand, with or without the magazine. Issues related to cost and broad accessibility of magazine content will likely drive the ultimate decision. The magazine is bound by economic considerations, and for that, the Executive Director of the Society, John Cooksey, plays the critical role of soliciting advertising for the magazine. The link between vendors at trade shows and advertising in the magazine is good, but there’s always room for greater participation. The contribution and support by the suppliers of goods and services to aquaculture is critical to the sustainability of the magazine. Advertising was cited most often by membership survey respondents as the feature of the magazine that was least liked, but it is simply not possible to have the magazine without advertising. The subsidy for the magazine from the Society represents a major cost item in the WAS budget. The Society leadership continues to recognize and support World Aquaculture magazine as an instrument of a central policy and role of WAS as a provider of high quality and relevant technical information. Among the range of WAS publications, which includes the journal and book series, the magazine fills a unique niche that complements the other publications. Gazing upon the 16-inch compressed stack of World Aquaculture magazines on my bookshelf, I marvel at the considerable effort invested in producing those many issues. Bob Stickney deserves the gratitude and acclaim of the membership for his long years of service to the society as magazine editor, more than 13 years by my reckoning. I note that he is a recent recipient of the highest honor that WAS can bestow – the Honorary Life Membership. Without question, he is most deserving of this award. Good luck with your future endeavors, Bob, and enjoy your retirement. (Continued on page 7)
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