Photos: These Sharks Are Illegal to Catch in New York

Fishing season is in full swing in New York... but you'll need to be careful about what ends up on the other end of your line.

While the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation encourages the harvest of many types of fish, there are certain species that are protected... including some very famous sharks.

Shark Fishing in New York State

Not all shark hunting is prohibited in New York State. Residents with a valid New York Recreational Marine Fishing Registry are legally allowed to harvest several species as long as certain guidelines are followed.

Which Sharks Are Legal to Catch in New York State?

Smooth hammerhead sharks (above), blue sharks, common thresher sharks, and spinner sharks are just some of the species that are permitted to be harvested (find a more complete list here)… but how they are caught is just as important.

Specific Regulations When Fishing for Sharks in New York

When shark fishing from the shore, regulations include specific rules about chumming the water (only mollusks or crustaceans are permitted) and reeling in your catch (hand-reeling only), as well as size limits for hooks and the sharks themselves (more regulations here).

List of Prohibited Sharks in New York State

The list of prohibited sharks is long, and includes species many New Yorkers may have never heard of before. While the Atlantic angel, Galapagos, or sharpnose sevengill shark might only be known to selachophiles (the scientific name for a shark-lover, by the way), others are more famous.

Read More: Here's What Happens to Confiscated Fish in New York

All anglers are encouraged to review the NYS DEC's Prohibited Shark Identification Placard for full information on all prohibited New York sharks. Get a head start with a list of the most well-known protected species below.