The first Scientific and Professional Conference was launched six years ago in the framework of Gacka Days. Following the Conference initiative the Centre was founded in 2006 by the Ruđer Bošković Institute, Croatian Chamber of Economy, Town of Otočac and Gacka Ltd. As soon as the following year, the European Commission approved the PHARE project Trout and Tourists in the amount of EUR 630,222.85. These funds were used for the renovation of the Centre infrastructure, acquisition of up to date breeding equipment and purchase of research equipment worth EUR 150,000.00. The research equipment was donated to the RBI Laboratory for Ichthyopathology - Biological Materials, which enabled the RBI scientists to start working on the revitalization of the trout and crawfish stocks.

The Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia has ranked the project Trout and Tourists among the most successful projects supported by the EC funds. They have included the project in an overview of the projects that have already contributed to the economic, administrative, educational or social development in Croatia titled ´Together for European Today and Tomorrow´.

Croatian Centre for Indigenous Species of Fish and Crawfish in Karstic Waters is an example of a successful cooperation between science, economy and local communities. This project demonstrates high investment potential of the science projects, provided that all stakeholders recognize the value of such activities.