Galapagos sharkin North Carolina
Carcharhinus galapagensis
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for galapagos shark in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
NC DMF 2026· checked Put it back
Often mistaken for, and their North Carolina rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galapagos sharkThis page. | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
| Dusky sharkNearly identical; dusky is the coastal one.Tell them apart | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
| Sandbar sharkTaller, more forward dorsal.Tell them apart | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
How to tell it
Stocky gray requiem shark with a tall first dorsal fin and an interdorsal ridge; offshore islands and seamounts, rarely inshore. More on the galapagos shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Galapagos shark in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a galapagos shark in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appGalapagos shark in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep galapagos shark in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
How current is this North Carolina galapagos shark rule?
Source: NC DMF 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.