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
Bull sharkBroader snout, no ridge between dorsals. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Very tall first dorsal starting over the pectorals; high back ridge; stocky gray-brown body. More on the sandbar shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep sandbar 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.
How current is this New Jersey sandbar 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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