The regulations contained in the emergency rule published on June 27, 2003, in order to reduce overfishing and continue conservation measures, are continued for an additional 180 days, after which subsequent Secretarial action may be taken to ensure that sufficient measures to reduce overfishing remain in place, or until Amendment 13 to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) is implemented (on or about May 1, 2004), whichever occurs first. Amendment 13 will implement rebuilding plans for several groundfish stocks and address capacity issues in the fishery. This notice is necessary to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act) regarding the continuation of emergency measures.