A governing board oversees the management of NFRDI. It is chaired by the Undersecretary for Fisheries and vice-chaired by the BFAR Director.
The board is composed of seven members, namely:
- NFRDI Executive Director;
- PCAARRD Executive Director;
- A representative from the academe; and
- Four representatives from the private sector, specifically from municipal fisherfolk, commercial fishing operator, aquaculture operator, and postharvest/processor.