[622273]

Last week after releasing a 4.5' mako, my buddy and I got into a "philisophical" discussion on mako keeper size. I know the answer is basically "to each his own". We agreed on ~125 to ~300. Any bigger, we really don't want to tangle with in 20'cc, and the bigger fish are better breeders. We also don't want to kill any pups.

However the real question that I have is the legal one. I was under the impression that a pelagic shark had to be 4.5 feet to fork of tail. Is this law, or just recommendation? Also, law does state ONE pelagic per day, right?

Thanks,
...mocean

 

[MBill]

COASTAL AND PELAGIC SHARKS
Length: 54 inches fork length Creel limit: 1 per vessel per trip Season:
Special Conditions:
All landed sharks must have head tail and fins attached, No sale allowed, No finning
There is also a list of prohibited sharks. Take a look at the regulations section.

As to the weight , it's up to you. I personally use 125 as a minimum if I want one for the bbq, else I tag and release.

 

[614512]

thanks Bill

I read/know that part. My problem is people keep telling me that 4.5' was proposed, but never passed into law. Anybody no this definetively?

...mocean

 

[MakoMike]

Mocean,
What Bill posted is the law.

 

[622273]

~~~~~

Ok, thanks Bill and Mike. I certainly believed it, and now I have no doubts. I still have to convince some other guys... (This includes some bait and tackle guys... go figure).

...mocean

 

[MakoMike]

Ocean,
you can probably dig it up on the NMFS web site.

 

[JMetaxas]

We kept a 62" Mako

Last weekend we caught a 62" Mako and kept it. It had so much meat it was great.

I will go offshore maybe 3X year, so keeping something like this is rare for us. If the following weekend we caught a similar fish, I would probably have let it go.

Here is the Photo.

John from Madison, CT

 

[seaslug44]

The Official Atlantic Shark Regulations Brochure

Mocean,

Here is a link to the shark brochure that is published every September by NMFS. This should leave no doubt in anyone's mind that it's the law and not just a recommendation.

NMFS Shark Brochure