Fishing for sharks is regulated by the New Jersey and federal regulations. Cooperative conservation partnerships between NOAA Fisheries and New Jersey was formalized by entering into agreements under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act.
Beyond the threatened and endangered species, federal regulations prohibit targeting any prohibited species. That means that anglers must release any prohibited shark immediately, without removing it from the water and in a manner that maximizes its chances of survival.
For example, Sand Tiger Sharks are a prohibited species, therefore posing for pictures on the beach with this species or any other species on the prohibited list would be a violation of federal regulations.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJ DEP) signed a Cooperative Agreement in 2004 which was amended November 7, 2012. establishes and maintains an "adequate and active" program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species.
New Jersey's agreement lists the following species:
Endangered
- Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus):
» New York Bight Distinct Population Segment (DPS)
» Chesapeake Bay DPS
» Carolina DPS
» South Atlantic DPS - Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
- Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
- Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
- Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
- North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
- Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
Threatened
- Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus):
» Gulf of Maine DPS - Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
Additional information on the regulations regarding these species can be found at fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species
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