NMFS is enacting a seasonally-adjusted gear restriction by closing 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, starting on March 15, 2002. The purpose of this action is to reduce the impact of the large-mesh gillnet fisheries on endangered and threatened species of sea turtles primarily from the monkfish fishery which has previously demonstrated a high sea turtle bycatch and mortality rate. The areas restricted to fishing with gillnets larger than 8 inch stretched mesh and the times are as follows: Waters north of 33 deg.51.0' N (North Carolina/South Carolina border at the coast) and south of 35 deg.46.0' N (Oregon Inlet)--at all times; waters north of 35 deg.46.0' N (Oregon Inlet) and south of 36 deg.22.5' N (Currituck Beach Light, NC)--from March 16 through January 14; waters north of 36 deg.22.5' N (Currituck Beach Light, NC) and south of 37 deg.34.6' N (Wachapreague Inlet, VA)--from April 1 through January 14; waters north of 37 deg. 34.6' N (Wachapreague Inlet, VA) and south of 37 deg.56.0' N (Chincoteague, VA)--from April 16 through January 14. Waters north of 37 deg.56.0' N (Chincoteague, VA) will not be affected by this rule. NMFS also intends to publish a permanent rule establishing these seasonal restrictions and is seeking comments on this interim final rule.