The Alaska Board of Fisheries consists of seven members serving three-year terms. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature. Members are appointed on the basis of interest in public affairs, good judgment, knowledge, and ability in the field of action of the board, with a view to providing diversity of interest and points of view in the membership (see Alaska Statute 16.05.221).

The Board of Game is the state's regulatory authority that passes regulations to conserve and develop Alaska's wildlife resources. The Board of Game is charged with making allocative and regulatory decisions. The board has seven members, each appointed by the governor for a three year term. Each member must be confirmed by a joint session of the state legislature.

The commissioner is the principal executive for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game; responsible for the protection, management, conservation, and restoration of Alaska's fish and game resources.

The Joint Board of Fisheries and Game set the regulations for advisory committee guidelines. These include the establishment of advisory committees, setting the number of seats by community if more than one community is represented on the committee, and setting the guidelines for uniform rules of operation. The composition of advisory committees can be changed by the Joint Board after they receive a proposal and meet to act on the proposal.

Advisory committees are the local "grass roots" groups that meet to discuss fishing and wildlife issues and to provide recommendations to the boards. There are 81 committees throughout the state each with expertise in a particular local area. Meetings are always open to the public and are generally attended by department staff and members of the public who can offer background information on agenda topics. Advisory Committees are intended to provide a local forum on fish and wildlife issues.