Included subfields are chemical, biological, geological, and physical processes that occur in the coastal and oceanic zones.

[7] The Annual Review of Marine Science is helmed by the editor or the co-editors.

Guest members participate at the invitation of the editor, and serve terms of one year.

All other members of the editorial committee are appointed by the Annual Reviews board of directors and serve five-year terms.

The editorial committee determines which topics should be included in each volume and solicits reviews from qualified authors.