NOAA Fisheries will conduct four public hearings on Jan. 22 (NJ), 27 (NC), 28 (FL), & 30 (MA) to receive comments from fishery participants and other members of the public regarding proposed regulations to reduce dead discards of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery and emergency regulations in Atlantic shark fisheries that implemented commercial quotas for 2003 and suspended the commercial minimum size limit.

NOAA Fisheries previously published the proposed rule regarding incidental catch requirements of BFT on December 24, 2002, and the emergency rule regarding Atlantic sharks on December 27, 2002. For more information about the proposed rule and the emergency regulations, including a listing of public hearing times and locations, go to: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/rules/010203A_hearing.pdf. Direct questions to Brad McHale or Dianne Stephan at 978-281-9260 regarding the proposed rule on BFT and Karyl Brewster-Geisz at 301-713-2347 regarding the emergency rule on commercial shark management measures.