# Sea Turtle Conservation; Restrictions to Fishing Activities
> **Rule** · Interim final rule; request for comments. · Published 2002-03-21 · Effective 2002-03-15 · 67 FR 13098
## Document
- **Document number:** 02-6772
- **Category:** endangered-species
- **Species:** sea turtle
- **Federal Register citation:** 67 FR 13098
- **Publication date:** 2002-03-21
- **Effective date:** 2002-03-15
- **NOAA docket:** Docket 020313057-2057-01
## Abstract

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.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2002/03/21/02-6772/sea-turtle-conservation-restrictions-to-fishing-activities)
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