Both the season opening date and gear restriction are relatively new regulations that became effective in mid-1999. Other plan elements include trip limits by district and bycatch limits for directed halibut and Pacific cod fisheries. When the directed fishery is closed, rockfish may be retained only as bycatch. One facet of management includes making adequate provision for both directed and bycatch rockfish fisheries. Catch and effort for the fishery, including both the directed and bycatch fisheries, is currently 103,000 lb from 192 landings by 82 vessels.
Regulations restrict legal gear for lingcod and rockfish.
Furthermore, only these legal gear types may be on board a vessel targeting lingcod. During the open season, lingcod and rockfish may be retained as bycatch to other directed fisheries. After the lingcod season is closed, lingcod may not be retained. The Cook Inlet Area is described as waters north of the latitude of Cape Douglas and west of the longitude of Cape Fairfield. State of Alaska authority for both lingcod and black rockfish management extends to federal waters of the EEZ, therefore, the above regulations also apply to vessels fishing in federal waters of the Cook Inlet Area.