# Sea Turtle Conservation; Restrictions to Fishing Activities
> **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 2002-12-03 · Effective 2003-01-02 · 67 FR 71895
## Document
- **Document number:** 02-30605
- **Category:** endangered-species
- **Species:** sea turtle
- **Federal Register citation:** 67 FR 71895
- **Publication date:** 2002-12-03
- **Effective date:** 2003-01-02
- **NOAA docket:** Docket 020313057-2278-02
## Abstract

NMFS is enacting a seasonally adjusted gear restriction by closing portions of the Mid-Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters to fishing with gillnets with a mesh size larger than 8-inch (20.3 cm) stretched mesh. The purpose of this action is to reduce the impact of large-mesh gillnet fisheries on endangered and threatened species of sea turtles, primarily the monkfish fishery which uses large-mesh gillnet gear and operates in the area when sea turtles are present.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2002/12/03/02-30605/sea-turtle-conservation-restrictions-to-fishing-activities)
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