CIFE would make an all-out effort to become a truly leading research institution for basic, strategic and upstream research in fisheries science and technology. The specialized sister institutes have mandates to develop need-based technology packages and have requisite infrastructures for that. However, such technology development needs scientific backing developed through basic researches and development of efficient delivery system. Since such aspects are not mandated part of any other fisheries institute, CIFE would complement them in these aspects.

There will be major research programmes which would cut across narrow disciplinary boundaries, and will be conducted in an inter-disciplinary and collaborative mode. CIFE has undertaken an exercise to mainstream the ongoing research projects and identify thematic/niche areas. Six major research areas have been identified and new projects will be formulated mainly under these umbrella areas. These are as follows:

CIFE will develop into a formidable intellectual think tank to provide policy support (both need-based and long-term) in fisheries sector to Central and State governments, international organizations, development agencies, and other stakeholders. The nation needs policies targeting growth in areas that would result in sustainable growth and the benefit of that should also reach the needy. For a policy to be effective there should be coherence between the identification of thrust areas, different laws that govern implementation, and complex social and environmental issues. The output of such research can be guiding parameters while framing national and state policies. It will conduct applied and strategic research on issues related to existing policy needs and gaps, HRD needs; globalization, WTO and intellectual property management; trade, livelihood and gender concerns; returns on investment in fisheries industry, education, research and extension. Also, it will address emerging issues of national and international importance like eco-labeling, code of conduct for responsible fisheries, coastal zone management, fisheries subsidies, water and energy use, disaster management protocols etc so as to provide research-based policy support in fisheries and aquaculture.