Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Maine lists none of its own
Own per-person allowance in addition to the 1-shark vessel aggregate. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkLarger, black-tipped fins, no white spots. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Small (under 4 ft), white spots on gray back, long labial furrows at the mouth corners. More on the Atlantic sharpnose shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic sharpnose shark in other states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for Atlantic sharpnose shark in Maine?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic sharpnose shark can you keep in Maine?
1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit).
When is Atlantic sharpnose shark season in Maine?
Year-round.
How current is this Maine Atlantic sharpnose shark rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 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.
In the appPoint the camera at an Atlantic sharpnose shark in Maine and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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