Established in 1991 with the objective of providing indigenous food, dietary supplements for the local people, cash income and management of marine resources. The facility was limited to the production of giant clams. In 1997, the facility was expanded with funds from the People's Republic of China with a broad focus to diversify its product line to target the aquarium trade and food market, training for local farmers, extension services, coordination, marketing, seedstock production and technical support. The facility currently has 32 raceways.

Giant clams are the main aquaculture species produced at the centre. Species raised are Tridacna maxima, T. derasa, T. gigas and Hippopus hippopus. There are approximately 30,000 juvenile (less then 3 cm) clams stocked in the raceways. There are also tens of thousands of mature clams held at lagoon and ocean nursery sites on Kosrae.

PATS is a vocational training school. The aquaculture facilities are part of the Marine & Environmental Research Institute Pohnpei (MERIP) and comprises of a basic indoor hatchery and outdoor raceways, science laboratory and scuba shop. The aquaculture component is focusing on marine ornamentals, sponges and pearl culture.

The College of Micronesia has an aquaculture extension program. One of the main projects currently being implemented is pearl culture. The project aims to establish a low cost hatchery which will supply a network of small rural pearl farms. The scope of the project will eventually encompass the full breadth of pearl farming, from supply of spat to marketing of the product.