Oceanic whitetip sharkin North Carolina
Carcharhinus longimanus
Also called Whitetip shark.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanic whitetip sharkThis page. | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
| Silky sharkNarrow pointed fins, no white tips.Tell them apart | N/A | No harvest or possession | 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 North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appOceanic whitetip shark in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep oceanic whitetip shark in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina oceanic whitetip 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.