NJ Saltwater Fish Regs
Possesion Limits & Seasons
Sharks
Permit is Required in Federal waters 3+ miles
The 2019 shark regulations complement existing federal shark regulations, however there are additional measures required for state waters.
- In state waters, there is no minimum size limit for non-blacknose small coastal sharks and blacknose sharks in the recreational fishery, but federal regulations inlude a 54-inch minimum size limit for blacknose and finetooth small coastal sharks.
- All sharks within the Aggregate Large Coastal and Hammerhead groups will have a closed sason within state waters from May 15 - July 15 to protect spawning female sharks during the pupping season.
SHARK SPECIES THAT MUST BE RELEASEED:
IN NJ and FEDERAL WATERS (3+ MILES):
Atlantic Angel, Basking, Bigeye Sand Tiger, Sand Tiger, Bigeye Thresher, Bigeye sixgill, Bignose, Carribean Reef, Carribean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Sandbar (Brown Shark), Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale & White Sharks
**It is illegal to take, possess or land any or these species**
Sharks that may be kept:
| Group | Season | Minimum Size | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate Large Coastal and Pelagic Groups | Year Round |
Shortfin MakoMale 71" Fork Length
Shortfin MakoFemale 83" Fork Length All Others54" Fork Length |
plus 1 Atlantic sharpnose/person/trip plus 1 bonnethead shark/person/trip |
| Hammerhead Group | 78" Fork Length | ||
| Non-blacknose small coastal Group Blacknose Group |
|
None | |
| Pelagic Group |
|
54" Fork Length |
*Species that may be kept (Authorized Species):
Aggregate Large Coastal Shark: blacktip, bull, lemon, nurse, tiger (not sandtiger), spinner
Hammerhead Shark: scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, great hammerhead.
Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Shark: atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, finetooth
Blacknose Shark: blacknose
Pelagic Shark: shortfin mako, blue, porbeagle, oceanic whitetip and common thresher.
PERMIT REQUIRED!
AS of 2003, outside 3 Miles in the EEZ (Federal Waters) a permit is required in order to take sharks! For recreational anglers, sharks are part of the Atlantic HMS Angling Permit.
https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/permitList
https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/recfishing/
Get the Latest Compliance Guides (For Commercial Fishing and for (Recreational - Billfish,Tuna,Shark)
It is not required for sharks taken in the NJ bays, only for Federal waters 3+ miles out.
In addition, all HMS Permit Holders MUST abide by the federal regulations, not state, in taking of sharks.
Make sure you are up to date on current federal regulations regarding sharks:
PRINTABLE FEDERAL NMFS/NOAA RECREATIONAL FISHERY REGULATIONS (This downloads the .pdf file) Updated April 2019
All sharks harvested by recreational fishermen must have heads, tails and fins attached naturally to the carcass until landed. Anglers may still gut and bleed the carcass as long as the tail is not removed. Filleting sharks at sea is prohibited.
Recreational anglers should access the following National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Shark Identification Placards, which are an excellent pictorial guide to identifying sharks that are legal to harvest. Shark Identification Guide (2018 .pdf file)
Prohibited Shark Identification Guide (2017 .pdf file)
RELEASE INFORMATION: If you are not sure of the species and whether you may keep it, release it. Recreational fisherman can no longer retain sandbar or "brown" sharks or silky sharks as of June 2009.
NOTE: To differentiate sharks from dogfish - the smooth dogfish has flat, tiny teeth; the spiny dogfish has strong dorsal spines, shorter than and in front of the dorsal fins along the topline of the shark's back. Neither are present in sharks.
See Also:
Summary of NJ Saltwater Regulations
for Detailed Information!
Return to Regulations Index
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