 The institute began its work in the facilities of the Marine Biology Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture in Caigüire, Sucre state, and moved to its definitive headquarters at the Universidad de Oriente main campus in the city of Cumana, in 1963.Rafael Antonio Curra was part of the initial staff of researchers of the institute.In mid-1963 he was appointed Head of the Department of Marine Biology of the Oceanographic Institute of Venezuela where he developed a creative work organizing seminars, expeditions, courses and workshops, and stimulating his colleagues, publications and attendance at national and international conferences.