Introduction
The Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) is one of the six branches within the organisation of the Department of Fisheries Malaysia. It was formally established in 1957 in tandem with the physical development of its premise at Gelugor, Penang. The main objective of FRI then was to undertake research on all aspects of fisheries resources and ecology. Later, the scope was expanded to include aquaculture. FRI has undergone major structural changes over the years, particularly with the establishment of branch centres around the country to carry out research on specialised disciplines of fisheries and aquaculture. Nonetheless, it remains as the only governmental research institute specifically focused on the aquatic environment. At present, FRI focuses on four major disciplines of research, namely fisheries resources, aquaculture, aquatic ecology and Biotechnology and fisheries product  research section.

With the greater emphasis accorded to the fisheries sector in recent years, the roles and resposibilities of FRI has increased accordingly. Moreover the area of fisheries resource exploitation has significantly expanded with the ratification of the Exclusive Economic Zone. To keep pace  with this development, FRI has attempted to increase its capacity and capability, both physical and manpower. In physical terms, new facilities were provided when the headquarters was eventually moved from Gelugor to Batu Maung in 1995.

Likewise, there have been major improvements in the research facilities offered at its branch centres. In terms of human resource development, many staff members of FRI were given the opportunity to pursue their post graduate studies. Nonetheless, much development is needed in this area.