SlotGaugeCheck a catchNurse Shark regulations in Delaware
Sharks (Large Coastal) · Saltwater · 2026 season
Nurse Shark size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | January 1 – May 14, July 16 – December 31 | 54 inch minimum | Boat: 1 shark of any species per vessel (+1 Bonnethead and +1 Atlantic Sharpnose per angler). Shore: 1 shark per angler (+1 Bonnethead, +1 Sharpnose). |
Notes
- Closed May 15 - July 15.
- Fork length (snout to fork of tail).
- Atlantic HMS Angling Permit required for private vessels in federal waters; non-retained HMS must be released without removing from the water. hmspermits.noaa.gov / (888) 872-8862.
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- January 1 to May 14July 16 to December 31All Atlantic Highly Migratory Species permit holders must abide by the non-offset, corrodible circle hook requirement when targeting sharks in Federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean (3 to 200 miles off shore).All Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) not retained must be immediately released to ensure the maximum probability of survival, without removing the fish from the water.*Special permit required - All private vessel owners/operators recreationally fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Shark Species for personal use in Federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean (3 to 200 miles off shore) must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit. Consult https://hmspermits.noaa.gov or call toll free (888) 872-8862 for specific information and permits.
- Size
- 54 inch minimum (measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail)
- Limit
- Boat anglers - only 1 shark of any species per vessel, except 1 additional Bonnethead and 1 additional Atlantic Sharpnose per angler onboard vessels.Shore anglers - only 1 shark of any species per angler, except 1 additional Bonnethead and one additional Atlantic Sharpnose per shore angler.
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
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About the nurse shark
Elasmobranch fish in the family Ginglymostomatidae
The nurse shark is an elasmobranch fish in the family Ginglymostomatidae. The conservation status of the nurse shark is globally assessed as vulnerable in the IUCN List of Threatened Species. They are considered to be a species of least concern in the United States and in The Bahamas, but considered to be near threatened in the western Atlantic Ocean because of their vulnerable status in South America and reported threats throughout many areas of Central America and the Caribbean. They are directly targeted in some fisheries and considered by-catch in others.
Read more about Nurse shark on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.
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Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Nurse Shark in Delaware?
54 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.
How many Nurse Shark can you keep per day in Delaware?
Boat: 1 shark of any species per vessel (+1 Bonnethead and +1 Atlantic Sharpnose per angler). Shore: 1 shark per angler (+1 Bonnethead, +1 Sharpnose)..
When is Nurse Shark season in Delaware?
January 1 – May 14, July 16 – December 31.
Is my Nurse Shark a keeper today?
A nurse shark is a keeper today if it measures at least 54 inches, with a daily limit of 1.