The college started as secondary school of fisheries under the direct administrative supervision of the Commissioner of the Philippines Fisheries Commission, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with an authorized appropriation of PhP50,000.00 provided in the R.A. 685 was enacted by the Congress of the Philippines on May 9, 1952. In accordance with this Act, a plan was formulated to establish the Aparri School of Fisheries but due to financial constraint, it was deferred, however the local officials (municipal and provincial) made proper representation to authorities to realize its plan to put up the school,