NOAA Fisheries is prohibiting the use of all pound net leaders in the Virginia waters of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay effective immediately through July 30, 2003. The affected area includes all Chesapeake Bay waters between the Maryland and Virginia state line (approximately 38[deg] N. lat.) and the COLREGS line at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and the waters of the James River, York River, and Rappahannock River downstream of the first bridge in each tributary. This action, taken under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), is necessary to conserve sea turtles listed as threatened or endangered.