In the period from 2006 until October 2010 the employees of IOF published more than 237 scientific publications (Table 4.1. and the list of papers), of which 193 (83.0%) in approximately 60 peer-reviewed journals indexed in Web of Science - database for journals. The average number of papers published per year is 49, or 40 indexed in Web of Science. As the scientific activity of IOF covers several scientific fields (natural sciences, biotech sciences, biomedical sciences, technical sciences), most of the papers are indexed in several scientific fields. Most papers were published in journals publishing the oceanographic and fisheries papers on the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. There is a need to emphasize the journal Acta Adriatica due to the fact that it is a journal of IOF indexed in Web of Science journals, and due to its long tradition and existence (publishing of which started in 1932). Acta Adriatica has an important historical and recent role in the scientific development of the Institute, as well as in the development of research activities in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. In addition, a significant number of papers were published in the Journal of Applied Ichthyology and Cybium, which have a significant impact in ichthyology and fisheries science of the Mediterranean. In accordance with the recent change of national science policy, of the criteria for evaluating the scientific work (including the criteria for the election to the scientific titles) and the Institute's stimulating measures, there is an apparent increase in the number of publications in journals with high impact factor, as well as the number of publications in general. In the period from 2008 to 2009 an average of 13 more Web of Science papers were published (6.8%) than in the period from 2006 to 2007. The share of papers in journals with impact factor above average (compared to the median) in 2009 was 24%, while during 2010 (January-October) it increased as much as 58%. The reason for such a dramatic leap in journal quality should be sought in changing policy of stimulating the publishing of scientific papers in IOF, where only the number of published papers was accepted before 2009, and since 2009 IOF has been including also the impact factor of journals in which papers are published; but also in the change of science policy by the individual Main committees (biology, physics, chemistry), that in awarding the titles, in addition to the number of papers, evaluate also the impact factors. It should be noted that scientists of IOF also published papers in journals with the highest impact factors in the relevant scientific fields of Web of Science (top 10%), as the paper of Mladineo et al. (2010), published in the journal Fish & Shellfish Immunology (IF = 2.89), or Vilibić and Šepić (2010) published in the journal Global and Planetary Change (IF = 3.27), Ninčević et al. (2010) published in the journal Marine Drugs (IF = 2.86) and Šepić et al., (2009) published in the Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans. During this period, 2 monographs, 75 papers in conference proceedings, more than 650 working and discussion papers or various expert papers were published. These materials include expert studies on monitoring various oceanographic, chemical, physical and biological parameters, which serve as a basis for different strategic documents (e.g. in the national fisheries policy), legal documents, ordinances etc. Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries provides services within its scope of research and expert activities and competence. They include primarily scientific services, expert activities of environmental protection (The Institute is authorized by the Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Construction), advisory and expert services (members of the Institute participate in dozens of national and international expert bodies in environmental protection and fisheries), and services for which the Institute has received authorization or accreditation (analysis of phycotoxins in shellfish, qualitative and quantitative research of the composition of phytoplankton community in sea water, testing and evaluation of water quality). Our clients are different, starting with the local, regional and national agencies, directorates, environmental protection agencies, ministries (experts of the Institute participated in drafting many legal documents and strategies), then the potential investors in the activities at sea and in coastal areas (e.g. investors in wastewater systems, a variety of underwater installations, coastal construction - ports, berths, coasts, fish and shellfish farms, hotel and apartment complexes, etc.), and finally the expert and advisory services for various agencies and authorities to manage the sea and its resources. Quality assurance is defined by authorizations and accreditations owned by the Institute. It includes the prescribed standards, such as: (i) Directorate of IOF undertakes to comply with the requirements of the norm HRN EN ISO / IEC 17025, (ii) Directorate of IOF undertakes to continuously improve the management system, (iii) Directorate of the IOF commits to ensure that research services are performed well and professionally, (iv) IOR is not involved in activities that could diminish the confidence of customers and employees themselves in their own management system and quality, (v) employees of IOF are familiar with the documentation of management system and quality policy and they apply the same in their work. |
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