NMFS is prohibiting the use of all pound net leaders, set with the inland end of the leader greater than 10 horizontal feet (3 m) from the mean low water line, from May 6 to July 15 each year in the Virginia waters of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay, south of 37[deg] 19.0' N. lat. and west of 76[deg] 13.0' W. long., and all waters south of 37[deg] 13.0' N. lat. to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and the James and York Rivers downstream of the first bridge in each tributary. Outside this area, the prohibition of leaders with greater than or equal to 12 inches (30.5 cm) stretched mesh and leaders with stringers, as established by the June 17, 2002 interim final rule, will apply from May 6 to July 15 each year. This final action also includes a framework mechanism by which NMFS may take additional action as necessary. This action, taken under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), is necessary to conserve sea turtles listed as threatened or endangered. NMFS also provides an exception to the prohibition on incidental take of threatened sea turtles for pound net fishermen in compliance with these regulations.