Hammerhead Sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) regulations in North Carolina

Sharks · Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A hammerhead sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with 1 per vessel per calendar day (shore anglers 1 per person).

Hammerhead Sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi)	Open year-round	78 inch minimum	1 per vessel per calendar day (shore anglers 1 per person)

Notes

A hammerhead counts as the single 'additional shark' allowed per boat per day.
You may not have a hammerhead on board while also possessing tuna, billfish or swordfish.
Sharks (except spiny dogfish) must be caught on rod and reel or handline using a non-stainless, non-offset circle hook when using natural bait.
Keep sharks whole: head, tail and fins must stay attached until offloaded at the dock (you may gut and bleed the carcass).
Federal HMS Angling permit required for sharks in state or federal waters (hmspermits.noaa.gov). No sharks may be possessed in WRC inland fishing waters.

Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording

Season: Open year-round (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31)
Size: 78 inches fork length
Limit: 1 per vessel per calendar day (the one 'additional shark'), or 1 per person per day for shore anglers
NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) — as printed: “Hammerheads (Great, Smooth and Scalloped) 78” ... 1 per vessel *OR 1 per person for shore-anglers** ... scalloped hammerhead sharks less than 78 inches fork length. ... It shall be unlawful to possess a great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead ... while in possession of tunas, billfish or swordfish.”

Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).

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About the hammerhead sharks

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 NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.

All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Hammerhead Sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) in North Carolina?

78 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.

How many Hammerhead Sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) can you keep per day in North Carolina?

1 per vessel per calendar day (shore anglers 1 per person).

When is Hammerhead Sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) season in North Carolina?

Open year-round.

Is my Hammerhead Sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) a keeper today?

A hammerhead sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with 1 per vessel per calendar day (shore anglers 1 per person).