When the Civil Government was established on July 4, 1901, the Philippine Commission proposed the creation of an office under the Department of Interior to take charge of the conservation, promotion and development of the country's fishery resources.

By subsequent reorganization effected on September 27, 1934, the Fish and Game Administration was returned to the Bureau of Science.

15, the Fish and Game Administration was reorganized as an independent unit under the Department of Agriculture and Commerce and renamed the Division of Fisheries.

Taking cognizance of the increasing importance of effectively administering and conserving fisheries and other aquatic resources and in efforts to rehabilitate the devastated economy brought upon by World War II, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act No.

Subsequently, branches of this Institute offering a 4-year secondary course in fisheries were established in the following seven provinces: Samar, Cebu, Albay, Iloilo, Zamboanga City, Antique and Batangas.

On June 30, 1984, BFAR was transferred from the Ministry of Natural Resources to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in compliance with Executive Order 967 mandating the conversion of BFAR as a staff Bureau and integrating its Regional Offices with the Regional Offices of the Department of Agriculture.

On April 18, 2024, the Ombudsman of the Philippines Samuel Martires, in a 23-page decision dated February 5, dismissed BFAR National Director Demosthenes R. Escoto for grave misconduct, based on the complaint filed by Atty.

James Victoriano, in the award of the P2.1-billion contract to SRT-United Kingdom for the purchase of 5,000 units of transmitters and transceivers for catcher’s vessels.

Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. designated Isidro M. Velayo, Jr. MDM as Officer in Charge.