New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Sandbar sharkMuch taller, forward-set first dorsal. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Low, sloping first dorsal set behind the pectorals; slender body; faint ridge between dorsals. More on the dusky shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask3
Can you keep dusky shark in New Jersey?
No. Harvest is prohibited in New Jersey. Release it in the water where you can. Prohibited shark species; release without removing from the water.
What is the New Jersey record dusky shark?
530 lb, Off Great Egg Inlet (1987).
How current is this New Jersey dusky shark rule?
Source: NJ DEP 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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