Species profile
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Identify Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 6 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is an IUCN Least Concern shark or ray regulated in 8 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 1 per angler across the 6 regulating jurisdictions.
Confirmed by 909 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Reaches a maximum length of about 4 feet (1.2 m), one of the smaller Atlantic shark species.
- One of the most abundant sharks along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
- Females give birth to 4–7 live pups per litter after roughly 10–11 months of gestation.
- Named for its distinctively long, pointed snout that extends well past its small mouth.
- Sexually mature by age 2–3 and lives up to about 10 years.
Where Atlantic Sharpnose Shark are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Protected status
- CITES Appendix II (Carcharhinidae — all requiem sharks, CoP19 effective Nov 2023).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is a requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae, found in the subtropical waters of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, between latitudes 43°N and 18°N.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Atlantic Sharpnose Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is Atlantic Sharpnose Shark?
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is an IUCN Least Concern shark or ray regulated in 8 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Atlantic Sharpnose Shark?
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark is Rhizoprionodon terraenovae.
Is Atlantic Sharpnose Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Atlantic Sharpnose Shark has fishing regulations in 6 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Atlantic Sharpnose Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Atlantic Sharpnose Shark along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.