Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Not subject to the May 15 - Jul 15 species closure.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Shortfin makoStockier, conical snout, dagger teeth. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Long, slim, and genuinely blue above, with huge sickle pectorals and big eyes on a pointed snout. More on the blue shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for blue shark in Virginia?
54 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many blue shark can you keep in Virginia?
1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is blue shark season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
What is the Virginia record blue shark?
266 lb, The Cigar (1987).
How current is this Virginia blue 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a blue shark in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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