The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), is a department of the Government of Pakistan and a major research institute of Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan). The NIO is a science and research executive organization located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The NIO' research and studies are funded by the Federal Government of Pakistan while the facilities are provided by the Sindh Government.
Presently 30 scientists are involved in oceanographic activities, 26 of these have been trained abroad. In addition there are, 39 supports staff on the role of NIO. The Institute has its own building on the Clifton shore. For deep sea research NIO has access to a hydrographic cum oceanographic Research Vessel "Behr Paima". In addition to the main laboratories at Karachi, NIO also has a research station at Gwadar Baluchistan coast. NIO in a relatively a short period of its existence has made optimum use of the limited resources. It has initiated, conducted and completed a number of projects related to ocean research and has effectively responded to a wide variety of user's requirements, that is marine industry and national institutions involved in the field of marine research.