The large coastal shark fishery will close on April 15, 2002. As of March 2002, approximately 213.4 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) or 29% of the available 735.5 mt dw large coastal shark semi-annual quota had been reported landed. These landings estimates are preliminary and do not include dead discards by federally permitted vessels or by non-federally permitted vessels fishing under state licensing requirements.

The small coastal and pelagic shark fisheries remain open until further notice. As of March 5, 2002, approximately 8.2 mt dw or 0.4% of the annual small coastal shark quota of 1,760 mt dw had been reported landed and approximately 8 mt dw or 0.9% of the combined annual pelagic shark quotas of 853 mt dw had been reported landed.

Approximately 30 days prior to the start of the second semi-annual 2002 fishing season, NMFS will publish the season's length (closing date) in the Federal Register, consistent with requirements at 50 CFR 635.27(b)(l)(iv)(D).

The notice is a courtesy to Atlantic shark fishery interests to keep you informed about your fishery. Official notice of Federal fish actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register. For further information, contact Karyl Brewster-Geisz or Margo Schulze-Haugen at 301.713.2347.