Editors --- "Editorial" [2009] AUJlMOA 1; (2009) 1(1) Australian Journal of Maritime and Ocean Affairs 1

• Editorial

Editorial

Welcome to the first issue of the Australian Journal of Maritime and Ocean Affairs. AJMOA is published in Canberra by the Australian Association for Maritime Affairs (which previously published Maritime Studies for 27 years).

AJMOA aims to explore and advance understandings of human activities at sea. It will publish high quality papers which address topical issues concerning maritime affairs or marine environmental issues. It is a multidisciplinary journal that will enable scholars and professionals in the field to exchange views related to the management of activities that take place on, in or underneath the ocean. In addition to providing a forum for the dissemination of research, it will also provide a vehicle for constructive criticism and debate.

AJMOA has a special focus on the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions although papers which examine issues of global marine or maritime significance will also be considered. The editorial team will from time to time publish special issues on particular themes, such as our forthcoming themed issue entitled ‘Shipping in the Asia Pacific Region’.

In this first issue we have an article by Malaysian scholar Rizal Abdul Kadir, which examines the implications of maritime transport services for developing countries, and an interesting historical piece by Dr Don Chambers on the long voyages of early Tasmanian-built boats. Joytishna Jit also offers an appraisal of the Australian Government’s new national framework for marine research and innovation.

Editorial Board

AJMOA boasts an impressive Editorial Board. Members include distinguished scholars in areas such as maritime boundary delimitations (Dr Clive Schofield, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong), oceans policy (Dr Joanna Vince, School of Government, University of Tasmania) and law of the sea (Dr Natalie Klein, Division of Law, Macquarie University). (For further details of the Editorial Board, see inside the back cover).

Review process

The Editorial Board publishes full length ‘double-blind’ peer reviewed articles (of between 5,000-7,000 words) and shorter commentaries (1,000-2,000 words) as well as shorter ‘In Brief’ pieces and book reviews. Papers need to be submitted in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (2^nd ed) (see page 36 for more information). For queries, please contact the Editor:

Warwick Gullett

Associate Professor of Law

Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security

University of Wollongong

[e-mail]