The Commission's objective is to ensure, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilisation of the global SBT fishery. The Commission also provides an internationally recognised forum for other countries/entities to actively participate in SBT issues.
The permanent office of the Secretariat to the Commission was officially opened on 10 September 1996 by Senator the Honourable Warwick Parer, Australian Minister for Resources and Energy. The CCSBT is one of three international organisations permanently headquartered in Australia.