KUFOS is the first Fisheries University formed in India, and comes under the Kerala State Ministry of Fisheries. As per G.O. (P) No. 510/F & PD dated 10.05.2011, the Government of Kerala disaffiliated the College of Fisheries, Panangad (one of the 19 Fisheries Colleges in the country) and Fisheries Station, Puduveypu from the Kerala Agricultural University and these institutions became the part and parcel of the newly formed Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies w.e.f. 01.04.2011. Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies is the primary and principal instrumentality of Kerala State in providing human resources, skills and technology required for the sustainable development of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. It acts as a centre of excellence for human resource development in Fisheries and Ocean Studies and the nodal agency to establish relationship with institutions and universities at international level. KUFOS imparts quality education comparable with world class standards giving significance to research oriented studies with effective meaningful and rewarding extension activities. With a view to producing technocrats of high caliber, we provide highly qualified faculty, full-fledged infrastructure facility and good linkages with reputed national and international institutes.

The academic excellence is intended to be attained by undertaking graduate and post graduate teaching and research programmes in emerging disciplines of fisheries science. With a view to meeting the requirement of state and national priorities, we are introducing specialized courses in the needy areas thereby creating professionals and experts. Results of research emerging various disciplines leading to successful technologies need to be disseminated to the end users at the grass root level.
The territorial jurisdiction of the University extends to the entire State of Kerala and the Headquarters of the University is at Kochi in Ernakulam District. The headquarters of KUFOS with its enchanting blue building stands in harmony with the greenery at Panangad, 12 km away from Kochi city, along the NH-47. Apart from the sprawling campus of 75 acres in the headquarters at Panangad, KUFOS also has brackishwater and marine aquaculture areas spanning 50 acres at the Fisheries research station, Puduveypu located in the Vypin Island, and an extensive 10 acres at Thiruvallam in the State Capital, Thiruvananthapuram. The mission of the University is to serve as a flagship University of higher learning through demonstrated and growing excellence in teaching, research, extension, training, scholarship and creative work in Fisheries and Ocean Studies, comparable with global standards that will benefit the country and the world at large.