Recreational Shark Fishing
State & Federal Permit Requirements
- All New York anglers must apply for and carry the no fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry.
- To fish for sharks, tuna, billfishes, and swordfish in federal waters, anglers must apply for a federal Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Permit (leaves DEC website). All HMS permits are vessel-based permits. For more specific information about the rules associated with the HMS permit, please review the HMS Compliance Guide for Recreational Fishing (leaves DEC website).
Circle Hooks
J-hook (left), Circle hook (right). NOAA Fisheries
New York State Law and federal regulations require the use of non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks when using baited hooks for sharks. These rules apply when fishing in both state and federal waters; and apply to all tournament anglers.
Circle hooks reduce incidents of deep hooking and increase survival rates of released sharks.
Non-stainless steel hooks deteriorate over time in saltwater, reducing harm to a fish if you are unable to retrieve the hook. A circle hook's point is turned back toward the shank, forming a semi-circle shape. This shape causes the circle hook to lodge in a shark's mouth instead of other vulnerable areas such as its throat or gut. J-hooks are more likely to be swallowed and damage a shark's internal organs.
Prohibited Sharks
Prohibited shark species are protected from fishing activities by Section 40.7 of Title 6 of New York's Codes, Rules and Regulations. Learn more about which shark species are prohibited, why they are prohibited, and best practices for handling and release of these species below.
- Prohibited shark species found in New York State waters include Sandbar ("Brown"), Dusky, and Sand Tiger sharks. Large (non-dogfish) sharks that are caught from shore in New York are usually a prohibited shark species. Prohibited shark species may also be encountered by boat-based anglers in nearshore waters.
- For a full list of all prohibited shark species, view Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations.
- Download and review the NOAA Fisheries Shark Identification Placard and Prohibited Shark Identification Placard (PDF links leave DEC website) before going shark fishing. Remember, "If you don't know, let it go!"
It is illegal to take or possess prohibited shark species.
"Take" is defined in New York's Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0103 (13) and includes pursuing, killing, and capturing sharks. It also includes all lesser acts such as disturbing, harrying, or worrying, or using any device commonly used to take sharks.
- Any angler who is making an effort to catch a prohibited shark species is pursuing or targeting that species in violation of 6 NYCRR 40.7(c)(1).
- Do not fish for or target prohibited sharks in New York waters. Intentional catch and release of prohibited sharks is likewise illegal.
- If a prohibited shark is hooked, the angler must release the prohibited shark immediately and in a manner that maximizes the shark's chance of survival.
- Do not tag prohibited sharks or delay release to take pictures.
- Participating in NOAA's Cooperative Shark Tagging Program (CSTP) (link leaves DEC website) as a volunteer does not exempt you from New York State laws and regulations. NOAA requires CSTP volunteers to follow all local, state and federal rules.
Why Certain Shark Species are Prohibited
Prohibited shark species are particularly vulnerable due to a combination of factors which include:
- Low reproduction rates
- Maturity at older ages
- Long gestation periods
- Species may be overfished, and/or overfishing may be occurring
- Vulnerability to certain fishing practices
The prohibited status gives these species the protection they need from fishing to maintain and rebuild their populations.
How to Release a Prohibited Shark
Treat any shark that you cannot identify as prohibited species and release it immediately. If you catch a prohibited shark species, please adhere to the following guidelines.
From the Shore:
Dead sand tiger shark that washed ashore with
fishing gear still in gut, Photo Credit: Vincent Cavaleri
- Minimize your fight time - do not play the shark to exhaustion.
- Release the shark immediately - do not delay release to tag or take pictures.
- Minimize handling. Lifting sharks out of the water can put yourself and others at risk. Dragging a shark by the tail can severely injure the animal.
- Never drag a shark onto dry land beyond the surf zone. Sharks caught from shore should be left in as much water as possible while maintaining the safety of the angler and those nearby.
- Do not sit on the shark or pull back the snout to reveal the teeth.
- Keep onlookers in the area well clear of the shark.
- If the shark is hooked in the jaw, use a long-handled de-hooking device to help with hook removal or bolt cutters to cut the hook.
- If it is not possible to remove the hook, cut the leader as close to the hook as safely as the situation allows. Long lengths of leader left with the shark decrease its chance of survival after it is released.
From a Boat:
- Minimize your fight time - do not play the shark to exhaustion.
- Always keep the shark in the water alongside your boat with its snout facing into the current to maintain a regular flow of water over its gills.
- Do not use a gaff. Instead hold the shark on the leader while moving the boat slowly ahead.
- If the shark is hooked in the jaw, use a long-handled dehooking device to help with hook removal or bolt cutters to cut the hook.
- If it is not possible to remove the hook, cut the leader as close to the hook as safely as the situation allows. Long lengths of leader left with the shark decrease its chance of survival after it is released.
- Before you go fishing, watch NOAA Fisheries video (leaves DEC website) for more information about handling and release of prohibited shark species from a boat.
For more information about sharks, visit our Coastal Sharks Webpage.
