Oceanic Whitetip Shark regulations in Delaware

Sharks (Pelagic) · Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A oceanic whitetip shark is a keeper today if it measures at least 54 inches, with a daily limit of 1.

Oceanic Whitetip Shark size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
State waters	Open year-round	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

Fork length.
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: Open Year-RoundAll 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 oceanic whitetip shark

Species of requiem shark

The oceanic whitetip shark is a large requiem shark inhabiting the pelagic zone of tropical and warm temperate seas. It has a stocky body and iconic elongated rounded fins, with white tips. The species is typically solitary, though they may gather in large numbers at food concentrations. Bony fish and cephalopods are the main components of its diet and females give live birth.

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 Oceanic Whitetip Shark in Delaware?

54 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.

How many Oceanic Whitetip 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 Oceanic Whitetip Shark season in Delaware?

Open year-round.

Is my Oceanic Whitetip Shark a keeper today?

A oceanic whitetip shark is a keeper today if it measures at least 54 inches, with a daily limit of 1.