Updated Sept 22, 2025 by Xenia Anagnostou – University of Plymouth Marine Conservation Masters student and Shark Angels Intern

United States Sharks: Status + Overview

he United States welcomes 50-100 shark species annually along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Management efforts are significant, with NOAA overseeing over 40 species in the Atlantic alone. Sharks in the U.S. waters thrive in various environments, such as shallow coastal bays and estuaries, important nursery grounds in Florida and Texas. Major shark hotspots include California, Hawaii, the Carolinas, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico. Some shark species are year-round residents, while others migrate seasonally, appearing in certain regions depending on feeding and breeding cycles. 

Despite this richness, shark conservation in the U.S. remains a pressing concern. Many shark species are listed as endangered or critically endangered due to threats such as overfishing, habitat degradation, and slow population recovery rates. According to the IUCN Red List, about 11% of shark species worldwide are endangered, and 12% are critically endangered, with many vulnerable sharks found in the U.S. waters. This underscores the urgent need for ongoing shark conservation efforts to ensure healthy shark populations for the future. 

For a broader view of global protections, see the Shark Angels Shark Status, Laws + Loopholes by Country Hub.

Major Threats to Sharks in United States Waters

Overfishing and Bycatch

Overfishing is one of the greatest threats facing marine life worldwide. In the U.S., however, only about 14-17% of shark stocks are overfished or experiencing overfishing as of 2022. 

Closely tied to this issue is bycatch, the accidental catch of non-targeted marine life during fishing. In the U.S., some of the most vulnerable species for bycatch include dusky sharks and scalloped hammerheads. 

Dusky shark populations have declined about 99% over the last 40 years, due to bycatch, with the Southeast U.S. in 2010 alone accounting for 3,400 individuals. Scalloped hammerheads experience particularly high mortality rates due to their body shape, making fishing gear entanglement deadly. Fishing nets such as longlines are a major contributor, responsible for at least 20% of global shark bycatch and up to 50% in Atlantic and Hawaiian fisheries. Alarmingly, studies show that 80-90% of dusky and scalloped hammerheads die even after being released from bottom longlines, underscoring the devastating impact of this practice. More on threats facing sharks.

Misleading Labels 

Most shark meat sold in U.S. grocery stores, seafood markets, and online is ambiguously labeled or mislabeled, obscuring its true species origin and making it difficult for consumers to avoid endangered sharks and high-mercury products. DNA barcoding of 29 retail shark products revealed that 93% lacked a clear species label, and nearly a third included meat from endangered or critically endangered sharks such as great hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead—species known to have dangerously high mercury concentrations. This mislabeling poses both conservation and public health risks. More on mislabeling.

Shark Finning in the United States 

Before federal bans in the U.S., shark finning drove drastic declines in shark populations by removing fins for export and discarding the bodies at sea. Populations dropped by 60-80%, with species like scalloped and smooth hammerheads suffering the loss of an estimated 1.3 to 2.7 million individuals annually for the fin trade. Fishers favored finning because fins fetched much higher prices, up to $500 per kilogram, compared to the rest of the body, incentivizing this wasteful and unsustainable practice. More on shark finning

Recent United States Policy Changes Rollback Protection

The latest administration moved to roll back fishing restrictions in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, a protected area spanning nearly 500,000 square miles in the central Pacific. This monument, established in 2009 and later expanded in 2014, is one of the world’s most pristine tropical marine environments and home to ancient coral reefs, endangered sea turtles, seabirds, whales, and a high diversity of shark species including grey reef, oceanic whitetip, hammerhead, and silky sharks. Conservation groups warn that opening it to commercial fishing threatens fragile ecosystems and undermines critical protections for sharks and other marine life. “If you open up a section of ocean that has all of these very long-lived, slow-growing sharks, you can decimate 100 years of conservation in almost 15 minutes of fishing because it takes so long for those sharks to rebound and regrow their populations.” Douglas McCauley, marine biology professor at the University of California

Frequently Asked Questions About Sharks in the United States

Q: Where are the most sharks in the U.S.?
Most sharks along the U.S. are found in the New Smyrna Beach, Florida. It has the highest shark attacks worldwide and has been named as the “shark bite capital of the world”. More than 300 attacks have been recorded in the area since the 1900s, with the majority resulting in minor injuries that require less stitches than stepping on glass. In general, Florida is the number one state with the most attacks, reporting 942 shark attacks since 1882.  Read more about avoiding shark incidents.

Q: What sharks live in the U.S.?
In the nearshore waters of the  Southeast and Gulf of Mexico, shark species like Atlantic blacktip, spinner, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks are commonly found. In the Caribbean Sea, tiger, hammerhead, and Caribbean reef sharks are also frequently observed. 

Q: What is the #1 deadliest shark?
Great White Shark has the highest number of recorded human attacks and  a highly fatality rate due to its size, powerful bite, and aggressive hunting behavior. Bull sharks and Tiger sharks rank as a second and third for fatal attacks, respectively.  However, it’s extremely important to put these risks in perspective. Toliets, air freshners and buckets kill more people than sharks do each year! Your chance of being bitten is extremely low, let alone having that bite be fatal. Read more about the myths facing sharks.

Q: Where do great white sharks live in America?
In the Atlantic ocean of the U.S., they can be found from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Caribbean. Along the Pacific Ocean, they range from Alaska to California and Hawaii, as well as along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Q: What eats a great white shark?
Orcas are the primary predators of great white sharks, often targeting their livers and leaving the rest of the carcass behind. Smaller predators, such as cookiecutter sharks, may nibble on great whites, but they do not pose a substantial threat. 

Q: What month is the best for shark diving?
May to October is the best time for shark diving in most areas. This includes Florida, North Carolina, Texas and California.

Q:Are sharks protected by law in the U.S.?
Yes. Some shark species are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which makes it illegal to harm or trade them. The U.S. also follows CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which regulates the international trade of endangered sharks. While the U.S. is not a member of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), it has signed a global Memorandum of Understanding on Migratory Sharks to help with international cooperation.

Q: How can I help protect sharks in the U.S.?
Avoid shark fin products, advocate for conservation laws, support conservation groups, and take part in citizen science projects. We offer citizen science trips as well!

Shark Populations in the United States

Spinner Shark ( Carcharhinus brevipinna): Vulnerable

• Where: Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, parts of South America
• When: Most common during spring and summer months.
• Frequency: Most seen in shallow waters of Palm Beach County, Florida, and Texas. Found inshore to offshore waters, no more than 350 feet deep. 
• Notes: Usually mistaken for blacktip sharks and taken by commercial fishers. 

Atlantic Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus): Vulnerable

• Where: Gulf of Mexico and are common from Virginia through Florida. 
• When: year-around in the Gulf of Mexico
• Frequency: Both inshore and offshore shark. Known to be bottom and reef-associated. 

Dusky Shark (Carcharhinus obscurus): Endangered

• Where: Western Atlantic, and eastern Pacific from southern California to the Gulf of California 
• When: year-around but depending on their migration route. 
• Frequency: Both inshore and offshore shark.

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini): Critical Endangered

• Where: Western Atlantic, extends from northeast coast of U.S. (New Jersey to Florida) to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. 
• When: year-around 
• Frequency: Both inshore and offshore shark. Mainly seen from January through March, when large schools are sighted in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Sand Tiger (Carcharias taurus): Critically Endangered

• Where: Western Atlantic and South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean 
• When: Late summer through spring
• Frequency: Both inshore and offshore shark. Mainly surf zones, sandy shallow bays, or rocky coral reefs

Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias): Vulnerable

• Where: Found along the U.S. Atlantic coast (Newfoundland to Florida), the Gulf of Mexico (rare), and the Pacific coast (Alaska to Mexico, especially California). Concentrations around Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the Farallon Islands, California.
• When: Most common during summer and fall when waters are warmer and prey is abundant.
• Frequency: Regular but seasonal sightings. High activity near seal colonies in Cape Cod and California. Ranges from nearshore shallows to offshore waters exceeding 3,000 feet deep.
• Notes: Apex predator and the largest predatory fish in U.S. waters. Populations are slowly recovering due to protections, but still threatened by bycatch, prey depletion, and human perception. Identifiable by their dorsal fins, which researchers use for tracking individuals.

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier): Near Threatened

• Where: Found along the U.S. Atlantic coast (Massachusetts to Florida), throughout the Gulf of Mexico, and in Hawaii.
• When: Present year-round, but more common in warmer months.
• Frequency: Regularly encountered in nearshore waters, estuaries, and around reefs. Often seen off Hawaii, Florida, and the Gulf states. Known to range from shallow coastal areas to waters over 1,000 feet deep.
• Notes: One of the largest shark species in U.S. waters. Opportunistic feeder with a broad diet, sometimes called the “garbage can of the sea.” Frequently caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, making them vulnerable despite wide distribution.

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas): Near Threatened

• Where: Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., from Massachusetts to Texas. Also common in rivers and estuaries, including the Mississippi and Potomac.
• When: Present year-round, but more active in warm summer months.
• Frequency: Frequently encountered in shallow coastal waters and river mouths, sometimes far inland due to their ability to tolerate freshwater.
• Notes: Known for aggressive behavior and adaptability. One of the few sharks that can live in both fresh and salt water. Often involved in nearshore shark–human interactions.

Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus): Endangered

• Where: Widely distributed off both the Atlantic and Pacific U.S. coasts. Most common from New England to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, California, and Hawaii.
• When: Found year-round, but migrations peak in warmer seasons.
• Frequency: Encountered offshore in deeper waters, but sometimes venture closer to shore. Known for their incredible speed and long-distance migrations.
• Notes: The fastest shark in the ocean, capable of bursts up to 45 mph. Highly prized by sport fishers, which has contributed to population decline.

Blue Shark (Prionace glauca): Near Threatened

• Where: Offshore waters along the Atlantic and Pacific U.S. coasts. Particularly common off New England, California, and Hawaii.
• When: Seen year-round, especially in temperate and subtropical waters.
• Frequency: Frequently encountered offshore, often in large schools. Less common close to shore.
• Notes: Slender, beautiful shark with long pectoral fins and striking blue coloration. Often caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries, which is a major threat to the species.

Shark Protection and Laws in the United States

Endangered Species Act (ESA) (1973)

• Prohibits harm, trade, or harassment of listed shark species.
• Provides protection for species listed as threatened or endangered. 

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management (MSA) (1976)

• Primary law for managing marine fisheries, including shark species in the U.S. federal waters.
• Mandates rebuilding overfished stocks and reducing bycatch.  

Shark Finning Prohibition Act (2000)

• First major federal ban on shark finning in U.S. waters.
• Prohibits possession of shark fins without the corresponding carcass.
• Allowed a 5% fin to body weight ratio.
• Prohibits landing shark fins separately from bodies. 

Shark Conservation Act (2010)

• Closed loopholes in the 2000 act by improving enforcement.
• Requires sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached. Grants NOOA power to deny port entry to foreign vessels involved in finning. 
• Allows smooth dogfish exemption under strict conditions. 

Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act (2022)

• Bans commercial trade of shark fins in the U.S. by prohibiting the removal of shark fins and discarding the bodies at sea.
• Prohibits possession, sale, trade of detached fins, as well as the landing of sharks without their fins attached. 
• Exceptions: smooth and spiny dogfish for scientific use and noncommercial tribal use. 

SHARKED Act (H.R. 207) (2022) PROPOSED BILL 

• Address the issue of shark depredation, where sharks partially or completely remove hooked fish from fishing lines before retrieval. 
• Introduced on January 3th by Rep. Robert J. Wittman (R-VA-1). Passed the House and currently under consideration in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  
• More on SHARKED Act (sign a petition)

CITES Commitments

• The United States follows the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), controlling the trade of listed shark species such as porbeagle, hammerhead, and spiny dogfish.
• Permits are required for import/export of these species.

Loopholes in United States Shark Laws

Dogfish Exemptions and Loopholes: The Shark Conservation Act of 2010 included an exemption for smooth dogfish, allowing them to be landed without fins naturally attached if caught within 50 nautical miles of shore. This created a loophole that conservationists warned could be exploited to launder fins from other shark species, undermining the intent of the ban. It wasn’t until 2022 that NOAA officially closed this exemption, requiring smooth dogfish to follow the same “fins naturally attached” rule as other sharks. Today, dogfish may only be used under limited permits for scientific research.

Weak State-Level Enforcement: While 13 states and 3 U.S. territories previously had shark fin bans, enforcement has been inconsistent. Some restaurants were still caught selling shark fin soup, and certain states continue to have legal gaps or weak monitoring. These shortcomings make it easier for illegal fins to circulate in the domestic market.

Black Market and Trade Risks: Despite federal restrictions, the black market for shark fins persists. Online sales and private transactions remain difficult to monitor, allowing fins to slip through enforcement systems. This ongoing underground trade continues to pose significant conservation challenges.

ESA Limitations and Slow Protections:The Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing process is often slow and politically influenced, leaving many vulnerable shark species without protections. Enforcement of ESA measures is also extremely limited in international waters, further reducing its effectiveness.

Bycatch and Limited Management: U.S. shark management efforts focus primarily on commercially targeted species. However, many sharks are still caught as bycatch in other fisheries, and numerous species lack sufficient individual management plans. Regional enforcement councils vary in strictness and priorities, creating uneven protections.

Marine Protected Areas in U.S. Waters – What Do They Mean for Sharks?

The United States has designated more than 1,200 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), covering about 26% of its waters. At first glance, that sounds like real progress. But for sharks, rays, and other marine life, the reality is far more complex and nuanced. 

Sharks Need More Than Boundaries
U.S. waters are home to remarkable shark diversity, such as hammerheads in the Atlantic, white sharks off California, and reef sharks in the Caribbean,. These species need safe spaces to feed, breed, and migrate. Yet many MPAs still allow extractive activities such as longline fishing, dredging, or trawling, practices that can directly harm sharks or destroy their critical habitats.

What’s Working

• Pacific protections: Some of the world’s largest and most strictly protected MPAs are found in the central Pacific, like Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, safeguarding coral reefs and pelagic shark species.
  
• Local wins: Florida’s estuarine reserves protect nursery grounds for juvenile sharks, while marine sanctuaries off California and Hawaii support healthy shark populations.

The Loophole

Outside the central Pacific, most U.S. MPAs are only lightly or minimally protected. In many areas, destructive practices like bottom trawling and longlining are still permitted, putting seagrass beds, coral reefs, and shark nursery grounds at risk. In fact, less than 2% of non-Pacific U.S. waters are strongly protected, which limits the real conservation benefits for sharks.

Another concern is the introduction of the Undersea Cable Protection Act, which would allow industry to install underwater cables without paying fees. Critics warn that the bill could weaken the National Marine Sanctuaries Act by opening the door to extractive activities, such as oil exploration, and by limiting restrictions on harmful fishing practices. The Marine Sanctuaries Act is a cornerstone of ocean protection in the U.S., safeguarding natural resources, preserving habitats, and ensuring that local communities have a voice in how these areas are used. Weakening it could undermine shark conservation and the health of entire marine ecosystems.

Why It Matters for Sharks
Sharks reproduce slowly, with some taking decades to mature and have only a few young. Without genuinely safe havens, populations can’t recover from past declines. Protecting shark habitats doesn’t just help sharks, it strengthens entire ocean ecosystems, and supports the resilience of U.S. coasts and communities.

Shark Conservation in the US

There are many local shark + marine conservation organizations in the United States of America. 

• Shark Allies: Creates legislative campaigns to end shark fishing and fin trade. 
• Shark Stewards: Advocacy, scientific research, and establishing marine protected areas
• Atlantic White Shark Conservancy: Scientific research, education, and public safety regarding white sharks in the Atlantic. 
• PADI AWARE Foundation: global mobilization of divers for citizen science, species advocacy, and ocean cleanup.

Learn more about our global efforts on the Shark Angels Conservation page.

Diving with Sharks in the United States

The United States has some of the richest shark waters – and best shark diving – in the world! There’s many places to dive and snorkel with sharks.

California Shark Diving:

San Francisco Shark Diving (Farallon Islands):

• Great White Sharks: Best in September–November (when seal colonies attract them).

San Diego Shark Diving:

• Leopard Sharks: July–September (summer aggregations in shallow La Jolla waters).
• Blue Sharks: June–October offshore.
• Mako Sharks: June–October offshore.

Florida Keys Shark Diving:

• Lemon Sharks: December–April (winter congregations).
• Caribbean Reef Sharks:Year-round, most common spring–summer.
• Tiger Sharks: April–June peak.
• Hammerheads (Great + Scalloped): December–March (migration through Keys).
• Bull Sharks: Year-round, with winter–spring more common near wrecks.
• Blacktip Sharks : January–March (mass migrations off South Florida).
• Mako Sharks: February–May, offshore.
• Dusky Sharks: Spring–summer offshore.
• Nurse Sharks: Year-round, especially in shallow reefs.

Hawaii (Oahu) Shark Diving:

• Galapagos Sharks: Year-round, most common summer months.
• Sandbar Sharks: Year-round, especially spring–fall.
• Grey Reef Sharks: Year-round.
• Tiger Sharks: September–November (most common near shore).
• Hammerheads: April–October (large schools in Kaneohe Bay).
• Silky Sharks: Best in summer months offshore.

Massachusetts Shark Diving:

• Blue Sharks: July–October offshore.
• Mako Sharks: July–September.
• Thresher Sharks: July–September.
• Great White Sharks:July–October, peak in late summer–early fall.
• Basking Sharks: May–September, most visible on calm summer days.

New York (Montauk) Shark Diving:

• Blue Sharks: June–October.
• Mako Sharks:  June–September.
• Great White Sharks: Rare but possible July–September.

North Carolina Shark Diving:

• Sand Tiger Sharks: Year-round, best May–October around wrecks (like “Graveyard of the Atlantic”).

Rhode Island Shark Diving:

• Blue Sharks: July–September.
• Mako Sharks: July–September offshore.

South Carolina (Myrtle Beach) Shark Diving:

• Sand Tiger Sharks: Year-round, best diving May–October on offshore wrecks.

Always choose responsible operators and follow the Shark Angels shark diving codes of conduct.

How to Protect Sharks in the United States

For Lawmakers:

• Implement tougher penalties and regular compliance checks at restaurants, markets, and online platforms.
• Establish a dedicated federal task force to monitor and crack down on illegal online and private shark fin sales. 
• Expand critical habitat protections and improve enforcement, especially in international and tribal waters. 
• Require all fisheries to implement gear modifications, observer programs, and bycatch reduction technologies with regular reporting. 
• Mandate the development of management plans for non-target sharks and uniform strict standards across all fishery management councils. 
• Expand strict no-take zones targeting shark breeding and nursery habitats. 
• Align MPA boundaries and protections with shark migration routes and aggregation sites, especially for highly mobile and pelagic species. 

For Residents:

• Support federal and state shark conservation laws.
• Avoid buying or consuming shark fin products.
• Report restaurants or shops selling illegal shark fins.
• Use seafood guides like Seafood Watch to choose sustainable seafood.
• Reduce plastic use and join beach cleanups.
• Educate others about the importance of sharks.
• More here

For Tourists:

• Avoid shark fin souvenirs or dishes.
• Book with ethical shark diving and snorkeling operators.
• Follow marine guidelines: don’t touch or feed sharks, and observe respectfully.
• Visit marine protected areas and support conservation programs.
• Report unethical practices or illegal sales when observed.
• More here

References

1. Oceana USA (2014).Bycatch Spotlight: One of the Biggest Issues Facing Sharks Today. (https://usa.oceana.org/blog/bycatch-spotlight-one-biggest-issues-facing-sharks-today/
2. Oceana USA, (2022). Are U.S. Sharks in trouble? https://usa.oceana.org/blog/are-us-sharks-trouble/ 
3. Ryburn, S.J., Yu, T., Ong, K.J., Wisely, E., Alston, M.A., Howie, E. (2025). Sale of critically endangered sharks in the United States. Frontiers in Marine Science, 12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1604454.
4. ‌Fairclough, C. (2013). Shark Finning: Sharks Turned Prey. Smithsonian. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/sharks-rays/shark-finning-sharks-turned-prey.
5. ‌Oceana. Spinner Shark. https://oceana.org/marine-life/spinner-shark/
6. NOOA. (2025). Atlantic Blacktip Shark. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-blacktip-shark
7. NOOA.(2025). Scallop Hammerhead Shark. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/scalloped-hammerhead-shark
8. NOOA. (2025). Great White Shark. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/white-shark 
9. Oceana. Sand Tiger Shark.. https://oceana.org/marine-life/sand-tiger-shark/ 
10. NOOA.(2023)  Endangered Species Act. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/endangered-species-act
11. NOOA. Magnusin-Steven Act. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/laws-policies
12. PUB LAW. (2000) Shark Finning Prohibition Act. https://www.congress.gov/106/plaws/publ557/PLAW-106publ557.pdf
13. PUB LAW (2011) Shark Conservation Law. https://www.congress.gov/111/plaws/publ348/PLAW-111publ348.pdf
14. Congress. (2021).Shark Fin Elimination Act.https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1106
15. Sullivan-Stack, J., Aburto-Oropeza, O., Brooks, C.M., Cabral, R.B., Caselle, J.E., Chan, F. (2022). A Scientific Synthesis of Marine Protected Areas in the United States: Status and Recommendations. Frontiers in Marine Science, [online] 9. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.849927.