Scalloped Hammerhead Shark regulations in Delaware

Sharks (Hammerhead) · Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A scalloped hammerhead shark is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with a daily limit of 1.

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
State waters	January 1 – May 14, July 16 – December 31	78 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: 78 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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More sharks (hammerhead)

Great Hammerhead Shark Smooth Hammerhead Shark

About the scalloped hammerhead shark

Species of shark

The scalloped hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. It was originally known as Zygaena lewini. The Greek word sphyrna translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head, which is its most distinguishing characteristic. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the extensions. It is a fairly large hammerhead, but is still smaller than both the great and smooth hammerheads.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.

All 196 Delaware species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Scalloped Hammerhead Shark in Delaware?

78 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.

How many Scalloped Hammerhead 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 Scalloped Hammerhead Shark season in Delaware?

January 1 – May 14, July 16 – December 31.

Is my Scalloped Hammerhead Shark a keeper today?

A scalloped hammerhead shark is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with a daily limit of 1.