The Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is taking shark-related matters seriously as 16 citations were issued due to violations of the shark fishing regulations set by the state. This action is part of the division's continuous aim to raise public awareness and enforce vigilance about the species of sharks that must not be possessed by anglers.

Some of the violators, who received the citations include Bernardo Luis-Rayo, Gary M. Messick, Willard J. Millman Jr., Jerson F. Sefil and Ernest L. Edwards. All were served single or multiple counts of violation for possessing prohibited species of sharks.

Shark fishing along the coastline has become increasingly popular among many people for the last couple of years. As Delaware is a home for numerous species of sharks, whether it be in the Atlantic Ocean or the Delaware Bay, authorities are keeping a keen eye on those who continue to illegally possess protected shark species such as dusky sharks, sandbar sharks, sand tiger and the popular species, thresher and the mako. The most frequent type of shark caught in Delaware are spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish, sandbar and sand tiger.

Sand tiger and sandbar sharks are particularly protected from overfishing and possession of anglers because these species do not reproduce as highly as other species. The shark regulations in Delaware include the prohibition of removing any specie of shark from the water, specifically for hook-and-line-anglers. Sharks must always be released into the water, with utmost consideration about the best condition in which sharks can survive.

The complete list of shark regulations in Delaware is available online at the Delaware Code - shark regulations. Among the most prominent shark regulations of the state include prohibiting the possession of shark fins that are not naturally part to the body, prohibiting the fileting of a shark before arriving at the shore, limiting the recreational possession of non-prohibited species to one per vessel and one per angler at the shore, limiting the size of shark specie in possession to 54 inches except for dogfish sharks and 78 inches for hammerhead sharks. Smooth dogfish and spiny dogfish sharks may be possessed by anglers, without specific rules on size and number of catch per day.

Anglers, who wish to fish for non-prohibited sharks in the waters of Delaware are required to obtain a Delaware fishing license and FIN number. The licenses may be purchased online and physically at the DNREC office and other license agents throughout the state.

Photo: Jim H. | Flickr