Why Massachusetts Is Cracking Down On Shore-Based White Shark Fishing

Forbes

14-04-2025

A person runs as a Great White Shark swims just meters away on the Cape Cod National Sea Shore on ... More the eastern side of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Are you one of those fishermen chasing social media clout by trying to land a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)? If so, Massachusetts has a message for you: think again.
Ahead of the upcoming white shark season, state officials have rolled out stricter rules to crack down on shore-based shark fishing, particularly around Cape Cod. While targeting white sharks has long been prohibited, enforcement has been tricky. Anglers have often gotten around the ban by claiming they're fishing for other, legal shark species. That loophole is now closing. Thanks to a recent vote by the state's Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, new regulations give the Massachusetts Environmental Police the authority they need to address this growing issue.
White sharks are protected in state and federal waters, and Cape Cod has become a seasonal hotspot for them. These new regulations are meant to reduce the chances of intentional or unintentional targeting of white sharks, which not only harms the animals but also increases public safety risks. According to Daniel McKiernan, Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, the goal is to limit shore-based fishing for white sharks without completely shutting down recreational fishing. 'We believe the new regulations balance public safety while still allowing shore-based recreational fishing opportunities for other species,' he said.
So what's driving the need for these changes? Part of the problem is how visible and enticing this type of fishing has become on social media. Videos of people landing sharks — especially iconic species like the great white — get lots of clicks, shares, and praise online. This has led to more people trying their luck at catching one, even if they're not supposed to. Jared Silva, a policy analyst with the Division of Marine Fisheries, called out this trend directly, saying there's a growing group of anglers chasing viral fame instead of respecting the rules.
But this behavior isn't just risky for the sharks. It's risky for people, too.
Chumming and baiting activities bring sharks closer to shore — sometimes dangerously close to where people are swimming, surfing or just enjoying the beach. And as fishermen try to cast their lines farther out, many now use drones or other mechanized devices to drop baits beyond the surf. Add in the summer tourist crowds, and it becomes a volatile mix. 'They can't co-exist,' Silva said bluntly. Shark fishing and sunbathers just don't go hand in hand. 'It's a huge public safety issue.'
Greg Skomal pointed out that targeting white sharks in the banned areas is 'quite easy,' given their ... More high seasonal abundance nearshore along the Cape's eastern beaches. 'The abundance that we see out there is mind blowing,' Skomal said. 'They are quite close to shore.'
That's why the new rules include clear boundaries, such as a defined ban on shore-based shark fishing in key areas of Cape Cod where white sharks are commonly seen. This includes the coastline from Plymouth Beach south to the Cape Cod Canal, continuing along Cape Cod Bay and wrapping around to the Atlantic-facing beaches down to Chatham. The restrictions cover both the outer and inner Cape, including Monomoy Island and Chatham Harbor — all known white shark hotspots. The South Cape and Islands — where recreational shark fishing has historically focused on species other than great whites — are not included in the restricted area.
The regulations also take aim at some of the techniques that have become popular in recent years, such as chumming (the act of throwing bloody fish parts or other bait into the water to attract sharks). Chumming is now banned from sunrise to sunset when fishing from shore, and mechanized or remote-controlled devices (like drones) are not prohibited to deploy bait while fishing with rod and reel from the shore. These specific restrictions give environmental police a better chance at stopping illegal targeting of white sharks before an incident occurs. In other words, officials don't need to guess someone's intent anymore — they just need to see the gear or methods being used.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled about the new rules. Tim Brady, the only dissenting member of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, raised concerns that the rules might unintentionally block access to legal shark species: 'I understand the potential user group conflict but are we also preventing somebody who's targeting a different shark species, which they can target?' He also questioned just how likely it really is to hook a great white. But longtime shark scientist Dr. Greg Skomal quickly pushed back. Along the eastern beaches of the Cape, he said, 'The abundance that we see out there is mind blowing. They are quite close to shore.'
For Skomal, the new rules are not about taking away fishing opportunities — they're about protecting both people and sharks. He emphasized that most other legally fishable shark species are located on the southern side of the Cape and Islands, far from the newly restricted zones. 'There will be little impact on those existing fisheries,' he added.
Pending a final regulatory review, the rules are expected to go into effect for the upcoming season. And when they do, Massachusetts Environmental Police will finally have the tools they need to curb a growing and dangerous trend. Whether you're an angler looking to catch a thrill or a tourist hoping for a peaceful day at the beach, the message is clear: Massachusetts is putting safety and science first.