About the Journal

The Journal of Marine Sciences and Aquaculture YAKU emerges as an initiative of Laica Eloy Alfaro University of Manabí with the fundamental purpose of disseminating relevant scientific research on the biology, conservation of aquatic species, and their interaction with the environment. Published biannually, "YAKU" is positioned as a specialized medium targeting researchers, students, and the scientific community, both nationally and internationally. The journal is dedicated to publishing original articles, systematic reviews, technical notes, and brief communications, addressing topics that go beyond pure research, exploring the influence of the environment on the health and development of aquatic ecosystems.

It is essential to highlight that the publication rights for these contributions are granted by the authors, who assume a manifest ethical responsibility regarding the content of their works. The mission of "YAKU" is to promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field of marine sciences and aquaculture, thereby contributing to the advancement and understanding of these fields in the environmental context. The initial editions of the Journal of Marine Sciences and Aquaculture YAKU resulted from the compilation of original research papers and scientific outreach manuscripts written by researchers from various universities in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. These research efforts, backed by a methodological design that has yielded conclusive results, aim to be shared among the scientific community leading projects related to aquatic species.

Until the year 2022, all articles underwent a thorough review by a specialized Editorial Committee responsible for evaluating the relevance of the manuscripts and the impact of the research disseminated in this publication. Starting from the year 2023, the YAKU Journal becomes part of the Faculty of Life Sciences and Technologies, specifically in the Biology department, with a new editorial committee composed of experts in the thematic areas of the journal.

In this new period, the thematic areas of the journal are reformulated to more accurately reflect research focuses. The thematic areas now include:

• Aquaculture.
• Aquatic resource biology.
• Aquatic biodiversity.
• Population dynamics.
• Aquatic ecology.
• Ecotoxicology.
• Biological oceanography.

Each of these areas represents a specific concept that will contribute to deepening the knowledge and understanding of aquatic ecosystems, ensuring the relevance and quality of the contents published in the journal.