Shark Limits and Identification

Shark Limits and IdentificationBag LimitThe daily bag limit is 1 fish for all allowable shark species including Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip and bonnethead.
Gear RequirementNon-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks must be used when fishing for sharks in state waters.

Hammerhead Sharks (Smooth, Great, Scalloped)Minimum size limit: 99 inches
Other Allowable Shark SpeciesMinimum size limit: 64 inches
Partial list of allowable species includes:
Bull
Stocky body; no interdorsal ridge; large triangular sloping dorsal fin; bluntly rounded snout.
Finetooth
Fins unmarked; slender smooth teeth; color bluish-grey above and white below.
Spinner
Similar to blacktip but first dorsal fin originates begin behind the pectoral fins and anal fin has black tip.
Lemon
First and second triangular dorsal fins about equal in size.
Blacknose
Grey to black blotch on tip of snout.
Thresher
Upper lobe of caudal fin extremely long and about half of total body length; similar to bigeye thresher but has no grooves on top of head and white abdominal coloring extends above pectoral fins.
Tiger
Distinctive vertical blotches or stripes.
Blue
Slender body of metallic blue color.
Shortfin Mako
Similar to longfin mako but underside of snout and mouth are white; similar to blue shark but has caudal keel.
Nurse
Brown color; first dorsal fin over pelvic fins; very small eyes; barbels on each side of mouth; no distinct lower lobe on caudal fin.More InformationVisit NMFS for additional shark identification and general information.
Visit the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for fishing regulations in Gulf of Mexico federal waters.
*Photos courtesy of Guide to Sharks, Tunas & Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico published by NOAA & Rhode Island Sea Grant.