The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's purpose is to manage marine resources in federal waters off Alaska, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Council works closely with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska Board of Fisheries to coordinate management across both federal and state waters, collaborating on habitat concerns, catch limits, and allocation issues.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council proposals are made to NOAA Fisheries on behalf of commercial, recreational, subsistence, and tribal parties in federal waters off Alaska.