SRDC was created as part of the country’s participation in the ASEAN Human Resources Development Project in cooperation with the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Under the bilateral agreement, Japan provided the center with technical assistance, expertise, and modern facilities and equipment.

Initially, the center was managed by the Ministry of Human Settlements. In 1987, it became one of the attached agencies under the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), becoming part of a cluster of agencies dealing with livelihood generation. In June 1994, the center became an integral part of the PMS because of the government’s streamlining policies.

The bilateral agreement lasted until April 1991 (Phase I) and was extended (Phase II) until its termination in September 1996. Under Phase II, the center was tasked with implementing or piloting fishery projects for technology transfer and demonstrating the viability and feasibility of fishery-related enterprises for livelihood generation. It also continued to standardize technologies on the breeding and culture of finfish (e.g., grouper, siganids) and bivalves (e.g., oysters, clams). With the termination of the technical cooperation with JICA, the PMS turned over the center to BFAR in May 1997.

In 1998, upon the approval of Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550), the Center was again renamed as National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center.