Recognized its contributions to the development of Korean ocean science through oceanographic investigation, NIFS won the achievement award from the Korean Society of Oceanography on November 2. The award was established to give people credit for their notable contributions to the development of Korean ocean science as well as the Korean Society of Oceanography. It has been granted to the people since 1981, and this is the first time for a organization (NIFS) to win the award. 

Since 1921, to identify the impact of changes in marine environment as well as climate change, NIFS has been conducting oceanographic investigation that constantly monitors the factors to changes in the marine ecoloy of Korean coastal and offshore areas, including water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients.

The monitoring reports and data were designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage by the Cultural Heritage Administration in 2013, and also put on the list of National Scientific Heritage by the Ministry of Science and ICT in 2022.