Oceanic whitetip sharkin Florida (Atlantic)
Carcharhinus longimanus
Also called Whitetip shark.
The rule in Florida (Atlantic)
Florida (Atlantic)’s own rule for oceanic whitetip shark in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
FWC 2026· checked Put it back
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Atlantic) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanic whitetip sharkThis page. | No harvest | No harvest | Closed year-round |
| Silky sharkNarrow pointed fins, no white tips.Tell them apart | No harvest | No harvest | Closed year-round |
How to tell it
Huge rounded pectoral and first dorsal fins with mottled white tips; stocky, blue-water shark that comes to the boat. More on the oceanic whitetip shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Oceanic whitetip shark in other states
In the app
Point the camera at an oceanic whitetip shark in Florida (Atlantic) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appOceanic whitetip shark in Florida (Atlantic): the questions
Can you keep oceanic whitetip shark in Florida (Atlantic)?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Florida (Atlantic). Release it in the water where you can. Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
How current is this Florida (Atlantic) oceanic whitetip shark rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.