The examination of the economic role of oceans and of coastal regions has become a very active area of research as nations and researchers have become aware of the critical and unique roles that oceans play in the health of both economies and ecosystems. A wide array of economic theories, and methods and data are being deployed to better understand oceans, including resource and environmental econ
omics, regional economics, national income accounting, and the economics of specific industries. Until JOCE, those wishing to share research in this field have used outlets specialized in the subfield of economics or in outlets of multidisciplinary research. JOCE offers the opportunity for those interested in specific issues related to oceans to share research directly with the international ocean economics community. The audience for the Journal comprises both scholarly researchers and those in the public, private, and third sector with responsibilities for ocean and coastal resources. “Ocean” and “coastal” refer to traditional definitions of oceans, but also includes inland bodies of water that have similar economic characteristics such as the Great Lakes or Lake Baikal. The definition includes major embayments and estuaries; the inland boundary of “ocean” and “coastal” is a matter of interpretation and authors are encouraged to explore different definitions of the inland boundaries of the economics of ocean and coastal resources. The Journal is international in scope and audience. The language of the Journal is English, and submissions are to be in this language. Abstracts will be available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese. The Journal will provide abstract translation services.
