The final rule to implement Amendment 13 to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Amendment 13) was published on April 27, 2004, and the majority of measures became effective on May 1, 2004. This final rule, regulatory amendment amends observer notification requirements of Amendment 13 to relieve a restriction. The required observer notification period for groundfish Days-at-Sea (DAS) vessels fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Area is reduced from 5 working days to 72 hours. The intent is to provide maximum flexibility to the fishing industry while still meeting the requirements and objectives of the management program.