NOAA Fisheries has increased the recreational minimum size limit for shortfin mako shark caught in federal waters (3 - 200 miles offshore) to 71 inches (fork length) for male sharks, and 83 inches (fork length) for female sharks.
Please remember, sharks with an interdorsal ridge (which is a visible line of raised skin between the two dorsal fins) are known as ridgeback sharks. All ridgeback sharks (except the tiger, oceanic whitetip, and smoothhound) are prohibited to target and possess. Dusky and sandbar (brown) sharks are commonly found ridgebacks that are prohibited from taking. Visit DEC’s website to learn more about local shark species.
If you catch a prohibited shark, please remember the following best practices:
- Minimize your fight time and release time. Exhaustion can cause the shark to die. Do not delay release to take pictures.
- Always keep the shark in the water. If fishing from shore, do not drag a shark beyond the surf zone. If fishing from a boat, keep the shark in the water alongside your boat facing into the current.
- 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.
- Remember, “If you don’t know, let it go!”
