This project shares practices and develops a national aquaculture plan to boost food security and economic growth.

To train fishermen professionals in member countries, the commission offers fisheries management, stock assessment, and data collection courses.

[1] APFIC advocates for sustainable practices that enhance the livelihoods of small-scale fishermen by assisting member countries in integrating relevant guidelines into national policies and conducting awareness-raising workshops.

The current member countries are: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, People's Republic of China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States A former member state is the Netherlands.

The abolition of the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC) and its Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal (BOBC) in June 1999 resulted in closer involvement of APFIC in this sub-region, as the functions of BOBC was transferred to APFIC by the FAO Council's Resolution 1/116 (Report of the 116th Session of the FAO Council).

As APFIC adapts to the changing needs of fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific, its role and function have been clarified as part of the development of a Strategic Plan for the commission.