Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Silky sharkNarrow pointed fins, no white tips. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
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 states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep oceanic whitetip shark in Massachusetts?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts oceanic whitetip shark rule?
Source: MA DMF 2026, last checked Sep 7, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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