National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health (NCAAH) (formerly Centre for Fish Disease Diagnosis and Management) was established in January 18th 2000 to cater to the requirement of aqua farmers in protecting health of the rearing stock through the introduction of the recent advancements in marine biotechnology. Motto of the Centre is ‘Relentless effort for the protection of health of aquatic animals and their environment’. To achieve the goal it continually endeavors to transfer the out put of research directly to the end users, the aqua farmers. The research and development activities of the Centre use cutting edge technologies to bring in novel innovations for the development of sustainable aquaculture in India. A unique feature of the Centre is its in-house production facility, the Aquaculture Health Products Division to meet the needs of the aquaculture industry.  Aquaculture extension cell is the link of the farmers to technology. Besides, the Centre maintains a diagnostic service to the diseases which often occurs during the culture.

The Centre offers an M.Tech. programme in Marine Biotechnology sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. No where in the country such an unique facility is maintained, and it has to be stated that this component of NCAAH requires further expansion to cater to the disease diagnostic requirement in the culture of both edible and ornamental fishes. It has to be remembered that quick and accurate diagnosis of diseases leads to saving of valuable fish stock.

The Centre recently became the seventh Regional Resource Centre(RRC) in aquatic animal health of the Net work of Aquaculture Centres in Asia Pacific (NACA) which is head quartered at Bangkok, Thailand and the only one in India. As an RRC, the Centre is mandated to provide scientific and technical training of personnel’s from the South Asian Region, diagnostic Testing Facilities to countries who are members of the Regional Aquatic Animal Health initiative, organize scientific meetings, training courses and workshops for NACA, dissemination of Information and other such initiatives in aquatic animal health.