Rhode Island state waters, out to 3 miles
Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
RI DEM 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Silky sharkNarrow pointed fins, no white tips. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
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 states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep oceanic whitetip shark in Rhode Island?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island oceanic whitetip shark rule?
Source: RI DEM 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 oceanic whitetip shark in Rhode Island and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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