JFE Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Publication

1. Introduction and Scope

The Journal of Fisheries and Environment (JFE) recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot and similar large language models, are now widely used in research and writing. These tools can be helpful when they are used with care. However, they cannot replace the critical thinking, expert judgement and responsibility of researchers.

This policy explains how authors, reviewers and editors may use AI tools in the work submitted to and published by JFE. It follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and is in line with common practice of major publishers such as Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature. The policy does not cover basic tools for spelling, grammar or reference management, which may be used without declaration.

 

2. Guidelines for Authors

2.1 Accountability. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, including any part produced or assisted by AI tools. Authors must check all AI-assisted text carefully for accuracy, completeness, bias and originality. AI tools may produce wrong statements, false references or misidentified taxa, so human verification is always required.

2.2 Acceptable use. AI tools may be used to improve the language and readability of the manuscript, for example for editing grammar, wording or translation of text written by the authors. AI tools must not be used to replace key research tasks, such as producing scientific findings, interpreting data, drawing conclusions or writing the discussion without close human control.

2.3 Disclosure. Any use of generative AI tools beyond basic spelling and grammar checking must be declared in a separate statement before the References section (see Section 6). The statement should name the tool and version, and explain briefly how and for what purpose it was used. AI tools used as part of the research methods (for example, in data analysis, species identification or image classification) must be described in the Materials and Methods section with enough detail for others to repeat the work.

2.4 Authorship. AI tools cannot be listed as an author or co-author. Authorship requires responsibility and accountability for the work, approval of the final version and agreement to submission, which only humans can provide.

2.5 Citations and references. AI tools must not be cited as a primary source of scientific information. All references must be real, published works by human authors, and authors must confirm that every cited reference exists and supports the statement made.

2.6 Integrity and plagiarism. Authors must make sure that AI-assisted content does not contain plagiarized material or infringe the rights of others. Manuscripts submitted to JFE are checked by similarity detection software, and the journal may also use tools to detect AI-generated content.

 

3. Images, Figures and Research Data

The main principle of JFE is simple: AI tools must never be used to generate, fabricate or falsify research data or results. All data, measurements, sequences, specimen images and field observations must come from the authors' real research.

3.1 Graphs, figures and illustrations. Authors may use AI-assisted tools to help prepare figures from their own real data, for example plotting graphs, writing plotting code, improving layout, colour or labels, or converting figure formats. AI tools may also be used to prepare illustrative figures, such as conceptual diagrams, schematic drawings, study area maps or graphical abstracts. The authors must check that every figure correctly represents their data and does not infringe copyright. Such use should be included in the Declaration of Generative AI Use (Section 6).

3.2 Research images. Original research images, such as photographs of specimens, micrographs, histological sections, gel images and field photographs, must not be created or altered by generative AI. No feature may be added, removed, moved or enhanced. Adjustment of brightness, contrast or colour balance, and normal processing by instrument or camera software, are acceptable if they apply to the whole image and do not hide or change any information.

3.3 AI as a research method. When AI is part of the research itself, for example in image-based species identification, automated counting or habitat mapping, the tool and its use must be described in the Materials and Methods section with enough detail for others to repeat the work.

Authors may be asked to provide the original images or raw data at any stage of review or after publication.

 

4 Guidelines for Reviewers

Manuscripts under review are confidential documents. Reviewers must not upload a manuscript, or any part of it, including figures, tables or their review report, into generative AI tools, because this may break the confidentiality of the authors and their unpublished data.

Peer review requires expert knowledge and critical judgement, so reviewers must not use AI tools to evaluate the manuscript or to write the review report. Reviewers may use basic language tools to improve the wording of their own comments, but they remain fully responsible for the content of the report. If any AI tool has been used, reviewers should declare it to the Editor when submitting the report.

 

5. Guidelines for Editors

Editors must keep all submitted manuscripts and related communication confidential and must not upload them into generative AI tools. Editorial decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor and Associate Editors based on their own evaluation and the reviewers' reports. AI tools are not used to make decisions on acceptance or rejection.

JFE may use approved tools for technical checking, such as similarity detection, reference checking or identifying possible AI-generated text, in a way that protects confidentiality. The final responsibility for the editorial process remains with the Editor and the Editorial Board.

 

6. Declaration of AI Use

Authors who have used generative AI tools should include the following statement under the heading Declaration of Generative AI Use, placed before the References section:

“During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [NAME OF TOOL, VERSION] for the purpose of [REASON, e.g., improving the English language of the Introduction]. After using this tool, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication”

If no AI tool was used, no statement is required. This declaration will be published with the article.

 

7. Non-compliance and Policy Review

If undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI is found before publication, the Editor may return the manuscript to the authors for correction or reject it. If it is found after publication, JFE will handle the case according to COPE guidelines, which may lead to a correction, an expression of concern or retraction of the article.

AI technology is changing quickly. The JFE Editorial Board will review and update this policy regularly, at least once a year, to keep it in line with international standards. Questions about this policy may be sent to the JFE Editorial Office.