catch-limit · atlantic hms · shark · Published 2003-05-29 · 68 FR 31983
Document
Document number
03-13420
Federal Register citation
68 FR 31983
Type
Rule
Action
Emergency rule; extension of expiration date; request for comments; fishing season notification.
Category
catch-limit
Region
atlantic hms
Species
shark
Publication date
2003-05-29
NOAA docket
Docket No. 021219321-2321-01
Abstract
NMFS extends the expiration date of the emergency rule that established the commercial annual quotas for ridgeback and non- ridgeback large coastal sharks (LCS) at 783 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) and 931 mt dw, respectively; established the commercial annual quota for small coastal sharks (SCS) at 326 mt dw; and suspended the regulation regarding the commercial ridgeback LCS minimum size. NMFS clarifies that the provision to count dead discards against the commercial quota applies to dead discards by HMS fishermen only. NMFS also notifies eligible participants of the opening and closing dates for the second semi-annual 2003 Atlantic LCS, SCS, pelagic shark, blue shark, and porbeagle shark fishing seasons. This emergency rule extension is necessary to ensure that the regulations in force are based on the best available science.