Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Exempt from size limit; each angler may keep 1 in addition to the one-shark vessel limit; rod-and-reel/handline only, fins attached.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkLarger, black-tipped fins, no white spots. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Small (under 4 ft), white spots on gray back, long labial furrows at the mouth corners. More on the Atlantic sharpnose shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic sharpnose shark in other states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for Atlantic sharpnose shark in Virginia?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic sharpnose shark can you keep in Virginia?
1 per person per trip (in addition to shark vessel limit). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is Atlantic sharpnose shark season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
How current is this Virginia Atlantic sharpnose shark rule?
Source: VMRC 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.
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