Sec. 08.02.22.02. Recreational Shark Fishery

A. Authorized Shark Species. A recreational angler may harvest only the following species:

(1) Smoothhound (Mustelus canis);

(2) Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae);

(3) Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo);

(4) Finetooth (Carcharhinus isodon);

(5) Blacknose (Carcharhinus acronotus);

(6) Tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier);

(7) Blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus);

(8) Spinner (Carcharhinus brevipinna);

(9) Bull (Carcharhinus leucas);

(10) Lemon (Negaprion brevirostris);

(11) Nurse (Ginglymostoma cirratum);

(12) Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus);

(13) Porbeagle (Lamna nasus);

(14) Common thresher (Alopias vulpinus);

(15) Oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus);

(16) Blue (Prionace glauca);

(17) Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini);

(18) Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran); and

(19) Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena).

B. Season Closure. A recreational angler may not harvest, possess, or transport the species listed in §A(6)-(11) and (17)-(19) of this regulation from May 15 through July 15, inclusive, regardless of where the shark was caught.

C. Size Limits.

(1) There is no minimum fork length for the species listed in §A(1)-(3) of this regulation.

(2) The minimum fork length is 4.5 feet (54 inches) for the species listed in §A(4)-(16) of this regulation.

(3) The minimum fork length is 78 inches for the species listed in §A(17)-(19) of this regulation.

D. Catch Limits.

(1) There is no catch limit for smoothhound (Mustelus canis) sharks.

(2) Shore-Angler Catch Limits. Each calendar day, a recreational shore-angler may harvest:

(a) Only one shark, regardless of the species, from the species listed in §A(2)-(19) of this regulation;

(b) One additional Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae); and

(c) One additional Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo).

(3) Vessel-Fishing Catch Limits.

(a) A recreational fishing vessel may not harvest more than one shark, per trip, from the list in §A(2)-(19) of this regulation, regardless of the:

(i) Species of shark; and

(ii) Number of people on board the vessel.

(b) In addition to the vessel limit described in §D(3)(a) of this regulation, each recreational angler fishing from a vessel may harvest, per trip:

(i) One Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae); and

(ii) One Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo).

E. Gear.

(1) A recreational angler may catch sharks using only active line fishing gear.

(2) Except when fishing with artificial flies or artificial lures, a recreational angler fishing for sharks shall use a circle hook.

(3) A circle hook used to catch a shark shall be corrodible.

(4) A recreational angler fishing for sharks shall have in possession at least one device capable of quickly cutting either the leader or the hook.

F. 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 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.

(4) Upon landing a shark, an individual shall immediately return the catch information form to a reporting station designated by the Department.

G. General.

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

(2) When aboard a vessel, a recreational angler is bound by the more restrictive vessel-fishing possession limits described in §D(3) of this regulation, regardless of the location where the shark was caught.

(3) A shark that is transported by a vessel is considered "boat assisted" and is regulated under the more restrictive vessel-fishing possession limits described in §D(3) of this regulation, regardless of where it was caught.

(4) All sharks harvested by a recreational angler shall have heads, tails, and fins attached naturally to the carcass through landing.

(5) Sharks harvested in accordance with this regulation may be eviscerated as long as the tail is not removed.

(6) An individual shall immediately release a species of shark:

(a) That is not listed in §A of this regulation;

(b) Whose season is closed as described in §B of this regulation; or

(c) That does not meet the minimum size specified in §C of this regulation.

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

(8) For any shark that will be released, an individual may not:

(a) Sit on the shark;

(b) Hold the shark’s mouth open;

(c) Put the shark on dry sand;

(d) Put the shark on a boat deck; or

(e) Use a gaff.