The Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF), formerly known as Pre-Investment Survey of Fishing Harbours (PISFH) is a premier institution of the Government of India established in January 1968 with its jurisdiction covering the entire Indian coastline for conducting engineering and economic investigations and preparing the Techno-Economic Feasibility Reports (TEFRs) for the fishery harbour (FH) projects. Prior to 1968, when the maritime States/UTs in the country lacked the experience and expertise required in conducting the required investigations and surveys, PISFH was set up as a Central Project under the Government of India, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Community Development (Department of Agriculture) in association with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nations (UN) with the following objectives:

• To conduct technical and economic studies for the development of minor fishery harbours for small mechanised fishing boats.
• To prepare preliminary construction plans for economically feasible harbours and their supporting facilities.
• To conduct detailed surveys of sites showing immediate economic benefit plans.
• To prepare cost estimates and specifications.
• To formulate construction programme for the recommended sites.
• To advise on financing throughout the period of the project.
• To advise on engineering and economic aspects on sites where construction is already in progress and on developing fisheries potential of major commercial ports.

The FAO of UN rendered technical assistance in the form of technical expertise and engineering equipment till January 1974. Thereafter, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) provided technical assistance in the form of engineering survey and subsoil equipment and technical consultancy services for 2 years from 1974. After cessation of the technical assistance, the Institute has on its own continued the developmental activities of Fishery Harbours (FHs) under Central Scheme.

Keeping in view the changed scenario and visible shift in favour of exploitation of coastal aquaculture in the country, the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare (MOA), Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) in August 1983 re-designated PISFH as CICEF assigning the following additional mandate and responsibilities:

1. To conduct economic and engineering investigation, prepare suitable engineering designs for coastal aquaculture farms and operational procedure for the types of sites for coastal aquaculture commonly found in the country;
2. To test suitability of the design and operational procedures including their economic efficiencies through representative pilot project in selected areas;
3. To establish on the basis of pilot project results, guidelines for designs and operation of small and large coastal farms in different type of sites in the country;
4. To design appropriate shrimp hatcheries and assist in their establishment and operation including the training of personnel; and
5. To train adequate number of personnel to undertake feasibility studies including site surveys, preparation of farm designs and relevant cost estimates.

The Institute received FAO-UN assistance in the form of technical expertise and engineering equipment for five years from 1986 to 1991 to shoulder the additional responsibilities of developing coastal aquaculture farms and hatcheries in the country. Further, notified as a Nodal Agency by the World Bank, the Institute implemented the World Bank assisted Shrimp Culture Projects in the States of West Bengal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh for eight years from 1992 to 2000. The World Bank Assistance ended during 2000-01.

Being a subordinate office of the Govt.of India, Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, the Institute is playing a pivotal role in assisting the maritime States/Union Territories (UTs) in extending the necessary technical support in conducting engineering and economic investigations and preparing the TEFRs of the FH projects. The costs of these projects are shared by the MOA and the respective maritime State Governments/UTs as per the norms of centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) which is in vogue since 1966-67. The technical assistance and support rendered by this Institute to the maritime States/UTs so far is free of cost and service oriented basis. However , the proposal of charging maritime States/UTs for the service rendered by the Institute is under consideration of the Government .