The ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) set up in 1957 is the only national center in the country where research in all disciplines relating to fishing and fish processing is undertaken. The institute started functioning at Cochin in 1957. Research centers function at Veraval (Gujarat), Visakhapatnam (AP), Mumbai (Maharashtra).

The institute functions with the following mandate:

• Basic and strategic research in fishing and processing.
• Design and develop energy efficient fishing systems for responsible fishing and sustainable management
• Development of implements and machinery for fishing and fish processing.
• Human resource Development through training, education and extension.

Administration

The Director with whom all the administrative and financial powers of the institute are vested heads the institute. A Senior Administrative Officer and Asst. Administrative Officers assist him in matters relating to general administration. Assistant Finance and Accounts Officers are looking after the financial and accounting aspects and also the internal audit of the institute. A technical officer attends to the technical matters including those connected with research projects handled by the institute. The Assistant Director (official language) heads the official language implementation section.

The research work at CIFT is carried by the following Research Divisions

• Fishing Technology Division.
• Fish Processing Division.
• Biochemistry & Nutrition Division.
• Quality Assurance & Management Division.
• Engineering Division.
• Extension, Information & Statistics Division.
• Microbiology, Fermentation and Biotechnology Division.