When a request for funding is received by the PLP administrative team (link to contacts page), it is initially reviewed for completeness, type of industry cooperation requested, and existing funding. Once this initial review is complete, the group decides whether the PLP has the potential to "add value" to the existing ocean or fisheries research project. If so, the port liaison for one (or more) regions identifies a list of possible industry cooperators who fit the type of industry cooperation requested. This list of potential industry cooperators is presented to the research cooperator, who is ultimately responsible for choosing which industry cooperator(s) he or she will work with. The PLP then compensates the chosen industry cooperator(s) for the time and expertise they provide to the research project.

The PLP has or is currently supporting over 25 ocean or fisheries research projects. These projects take place all along the West Coast. Topics include, but are not limited to, species life history, contaminants in seafood, traceability, near shore planning, marine reserves, gear specifications, whale research, port sampling, rockfish photography, hook and line surveys, and footrope effort.

The PLP has a list of over 150 Industry Cooperators, from ports in coastal communities ranging from central California to northwest Washington, possessing a combined experience of over 2,000 years of experience in hook & line, long line, trawl, seine, pot and trap gears, and groundfish, whiting, shrimp, crab salmon, albacore, and sardine fisheries.

The PLP also has a Project Advisory Committee consisting of four science community members, two commercial fishing community members, and one community member at large. Their role is to groundtruth, advise, and help get the word out.