The North Pacific Anadromous Fisheries Commission was created in 1992 to serve as a forum for promoting the conservation of anadromous stocks and ecologically-related species, including marine mammals, sea birds, and non-anadromous fish, in the high seas area of the North Pacific Ocean. The Commission currently operates under the terms of the 1992 Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean, but the Commission was established originally under the 1952 International Convention for the High Seas Fisheries of the North Pacific Ocean.

The main functions of the Commission are: (a) to recommend to the Parties measures for the conservation of anadromous stocks and ecologically related species in the Convention area, including measures to avoid or reduce incidental taking of anadromous fish; (b) to promote the exchange of information of any activities contrary to the provisions of the Convention; (c) to consider and make proposals to the Parties for the enactment of schedules of equivalent penalties for activities contrary to the provisions of the Convention; and (d) to review and evaluate enforcement actions taken by the Parties. (The Convention prohibits directed fishing for salmonids unless for scientific research purposes under national and joint research programmes approved by the Commission). Decisions of the Commission on all important matters are taken by consensus among all Parties that are States of origin of anadromous stocks which migrate into the Convention Area.

Members of the Commission are required to take all necessary measures to ensure its nationals and fishing vessels comply with the measures established by the Commission.  Each Party has the authority to board, inspect and detain fishing vessels of the other Parties found operating in violation of the Convention. In recent years, a major focus of the Commission's work has been the development of cooperation in the field of enforcement and the prevention of IUU fishing.