Universiti Malaysia Sabah initiated research in marine science and aquaculture by establishing a specialized research unit in 1995, in the first phase of its development. After recruiting the critical mass of experts, developing infrastructure, and conducting a performance audit, Universiti Malaysia Sabah decided to upgrade this research unit in the year 2000 to the status of a fully-fledged Centre of Excellence and named it ‘Borneo Marine Research Institute’ (BMRI). Since then, the Institute has made progressive strides in research and development in various areas within the scope of its theme which is ‘Conservation and Sustainable Development of Marine Resources’.