Established in 2001, HRI integrates outstanding scientific research with public policy to provide international leadership in generating and disseminating knowledge about the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and its critical role in the economies of the North American region.

[3] On September 19, 2000, the late Edward H. Harte, philanthropist and former owner of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times newspaper, donated $46 million to establish a new research institute to focus on the Gulf of Mexico.

The Report Card Prototype, which was made available to the highest levels of decision makers, the most knowledgeable and experienced scientific investigators, and the general public, detailed the policies and resources needed to achieve sustainability of a healthy Gulf of Mexico.

The agreement includes shared research projects, the interchange of findings, and other collaborations on issues ranging from the protection of endangered marine species to offshore drilling and contamination.

[22][26] In fall 2012, The Coastal Conservation Association[27] committed $500,000 for HRI to establish the first research center for the study of sportfish in the western Gulf of Mexico.

The Center focuses on the many challenges to maintaining healthy populations, both inshore and offshore, to assure the best decisions are made in managing fisheries and the marine environment.