The establishment was made during the Marine Conservation Development Program of Silliman University in 1985-86. This was in response to rampant illegal and destructive fishing occurring in the area in the early 1980's. Since that time, diving tourism continued to grow and a 20-room resort started operation in 1992 facing the marine sanctuary. Silliman University Marine Laboratory (SUML) gave technical assistance while the Bohol Marine Triangle Project (BMTP) is responsible for the management.