The Society actively encourages the establishment of local branches and promotes affiliation with national societies, organizations and institutions having similar objectives. Local branches provide opportunity for a country's members to organize and become a louder voice in national fisheries issues.

The Society has branch societies in India, Taiwan and Japan; and the national societies of China and Malaysia are affiliated to the parent society.

Members working in specialized fields are encouraged to make use of the Society umbrella to form subject-oriented sections for increased communication and cooperation in their field of interest. The Fish Health Section of the Society and the Social Science Research Network are established sections of the Society.