Bignose Shark

Identification and comparisons

A broad, elongated snout, fairly straight pectoral fins and a substantial first dorsal distinguish this offshore requiem shark. The first dorsal begins farther forward than on a dusky or silky shark. A ridge lies between the dorsal fins. Its gray upper body and pale belly are shared with many relatives, so color by itself is a poor identification test. Florida Museum identification profile.

Atlantic Florida context

The Florida Museum explicitly includes Florida in the western Atlantic range; NOAA extends the documented distribution from New Jersey to Venezuela. Adults mainly occupy deeper shelf-edge and slope habitat. This is an offshore addition to the regional guide, not a promise of finding one beside a shallow wreck. Younger animals may occur shallower, but that does not make every nearshore gray shark a bignose. NOAA regional identification guides.

Feeding, breeding and size

Its food includes bony fishes, smaller sharks and rays, and cephalopods. Females give birth to live young supported by yolk-sac placentas. Reported birth seasons differ among regions, so Mediterranean or Madagascan dates should not become a Florida breeding calendar. The museum reports a maximum of about three meters total length; NOAA’s guide gives a smaller approximate figure. We leave the precise maximum unresolved. Species biology reference.

Three things worth noticing

• Its snout, rather than unusual coloration, supplies the common name.
• A low ridge on the back is useful only if the photograph actually shows it.
• Being offshore does not necessarily mean swimming at the surface.

Observation and harvest caution

This shark is prohibited from harvest in Florida state waters and is on the federal prohibited-species list. Consult Florida’s shark rules and NOAA’s current recreational shark guidance. Prohibited sharks must remain in the water with their gills submerged under Florida’s handling rules. Do not delay release for photographs or measurements.

For divers, the useful response is to stay with the group, follow the guide’s directions and give the animal room. Do not chase, touch, feed or block its path for a better image. Record the date, location, depth and identifying features after the encounter. An honest uncertain identification is better than attaching a confident species name to an indistinct silhouette.

Current recreational retention rules

Checked November 12, 2026: Bignose Shark harvest is prohibited in Florida state waters, and Atlantic federal rules prohibit retention. Leave an incidentally caught animal in the water and release it with minimal injury. Florida requires prohibited sharks to remain with their gills submerged. Do not remove the animal for photographs or measurements. Check current official handling requirements for the exact fishing activity. Official FWC shark rules Official NOAA retention guidance Federal regulation text (Cornell LII)

Make your next dive happen

Review current dates, availability, prices, inclusions and requirements on each listing before booking or buying.