The regulations contained in the interim rule published on August 1, 2002, in order to reduce overfishing, are continued for an additional 180 days, after which subsequent Secretarial action may be taken to ensure that sufficient measures to reduce overfishing stay in effect until implementation of Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 13 will implement rebuilding plans for several groundfish stocks and address capacity issues in the fishery. This action is necessary to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act) regarding the continuation of interim final regulations.