Shark, Atlantic Sharpnose

No closed season. No minimum size limit.

Atlantic sharpnose shark is not included in the aggregate shark limit for recreational anglers.

Tags and Reporting:
(1) An individual shall obtain tags and catch information forms from a reporting station designated by the Department.
(2) Before removing a landed shark from a boat or removing a boat containing a shark from the water, a person shall:
(a) Affix a tail tag, provided by the reporting station, to the shark; and
(b) Complete a catch information form provided by the reporting station.
(3) Before removing a landed shark from the point of landing if caught on shore, a person must affix a tail tag, provided by the reporting station, to the shark; and complete a catch information form provided by the reporting station.
(4) Upon landing a shark, an individual shall immediately return the catch information form to a reporting station designated by the Department.

A recreational angler may not sell, barter, or trade sharks or shark pieces.

All sharks harvested by a recreational angler shall have heads, tails, and fins attached naturally to the carcass through landing. Sharks harvested in accordance with this regulation may be eviscerated as long as the tail is not removed.

An individual shall immediately release a species of shark that is not legally harvestable (e.g., whose season is closed, does not meet the minimum size limit).

Except for a smoothhound, an individual may not remove from the water a shark that will be released.

For any shark that will be released, an individual may not: sit on the shark; hold the shark's mouth open; put the shark on dry sand; put the shark on a boat deck; or use a gaff.