NOAA Fisheries finalized an emergency rule, effective for 180 days starting on January 1, 2003, that implements annual quotas of 783 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) and 931 mt dw for the commercial ridgeback and non-ridgeback large coastal shark fisheries, respectively, and implements an annual quota of 326 mt dw for the commercial small coastal shark fishery.

The emergency regulations also suspend the commercial ridgeback large coastal shark minimum size. In addition, on January 1, 2003, the regulations on season-specific quota adjustments and counting dead discards and state landings after a federal closure against the commercial quotas went into effect. To receive copies of the emergency rule or its environmental assessment and regulatory impact review, please contact Karyl Brewster-Geisz at (301) 713-2347. NOAA Fisheries will announce the date and location of any public hearings regarding this emergency rule at a later time. Comments will be accepted through February 14, 2003, at 5 p.m. For more information, go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/FaxNotice.PUBLIC.pdf