With peak fishing season right around the corner, the state of Massachusetts has reminded anglers of the new restrictions for Shark fishing from shore. The Division of Marine Fisheries has introduced several rules and constraints on areas, equipment, and techniques for shore-based Shark fishing.
Here’s a quick overview of what the new regulations include and what you should keep in mind if you plan to go casting from shore for Sharks in 2025.
What are the new Shark shore fishing rules?
Locations
Shore-based Shark fishing has been banned in locations where White Sharks are commonly found. These are:
- The northernmost point of Plymouth Beach
- The shoreline around Cape Cod Bay
- The shoreline around Outer Cape
- All of Chatham Harbor
- All of Monomoy Island
These new shore fishing rules don’t affect waters where other Shark species are dominant, such as the South Cape and Islands.
Fishing Techniques
Chumming is an effective method for attracting Sharks, especially Great Whites. However, to avoid drawing them close to shore and prevent Sharks encountering people, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has banned chumming from sunrise to sunset when shore fishing for Sharks.
Equipment
It‘s also prohibited to use a baited hook that has a gap larger than 5/8 inches paired with a metal or wire leader longer than 18 inches when shore fishing for Sharks in designated areas. The new rule also doesn’t allow the use of remote-controlled devices, including drones, RC boats, and bait cannons, for deploying baited hooks when fishing from shore.
Why did Massachusetts introduce these new rules?
The two primary reasons for introducing the new shore-based Shark fishing restrictions are:
- To improve the regulation of Shark fishing, particularly White Sharks
- To ensure a safer environment for swimmers and beachgoers
White Sharks are on the list of prohibited species – harvesting them is against the law, and anglers are aware of this. However, it hasn’t been uncommon for them to end up ashore on someone’s hook. And the main challenge in these situations was for the authorities to determine if this was intentional or accidental.
Whether as by-catch or an intended target, the fact was that White Sharks were being reeled in. And, aside from enforcement challenges, there was a big concern for public safety. Attracting White Sharks so close to shore is an immediate threat to all swimmers and beachgoers.
For these reasons, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has adopted more straightforward and stricter rules by limiting the areas where you can go Shark fishing from shore and how you can fish for them.
What else should I know about shore Shark fishing in MA?
It might be wise to remember that the Division of Marine Fisheries defines shore-based fishing as any rod-and-reel angling done from the shoreline, including jetties, piers, docks, and wading.
We recommend always reading the recreational Shark fishing rules and regulations carefully before heading out to fish for them in Massachusetts.
For a detailed insight into what gear, baits, and techniques to use for Shark fishing in general, check out our comprehensive Shark Fishing Guide.
