Are sharks illegal in California?

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Juxtaroberto

Juxtaroberto

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 1, 2009
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Basically, the Port Jackson, bamboo, catshark, etc.

I just went through the Shark and Ray picture sticky, in the Marine Media Lounge, and I got all excited about maybe some day owning a shark, but I think they might be illegal here. Are they? Are there any that aren't?

Thanks.
 
I believe the only types of sharks and rays that are illegal or restricted are the Freshwater rays, and the freshwater members of Carcharhinidae(Requiem Sharks).

Also it's illegal to keep any Leopard Shark under 36" (91 cm) long. However Leopard Sharks over 36" in length are legal.

However I believe that Species like Horns, Bamboos, Epaulettes, Catsharks, Wobbegongs, Carpet Sharks and Smoothhounds, are all perfectly legal.

Here's a site that is fairly specific about the keeping of exotic animals in each state.
http://www.bornfreeusa.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_state.php?s=ca
 
Its my understanding that sharks aren't legal but all genus Carcharhinus sharks need a permit to buy,sell,hold, or own. There seems to be some debate on whether its genus carharhinus sharks or all requiem sharks/family Carcharhinidae that need permits. I was told by someone that deals sharks something like a lemon shark or bonnet head would be fine cause they are not genus Carcharhinus sharks. All the sharks you listed are fine.
 
Okay, thanks.

Also, the Blacktip Reef Shark is a requiem shark... but it IS saltwater. So it is also legal, right?
 
I think the law was written to target bull sharks... but they have to use the latin to be rock solid on which sharks are which (since common names can be changed).

The way I understand it is that all Carcharhinus sharks need a permit to house.
 
Zoodiver;4659063; said:
I think the law was written to target bull sharks... but they have to use the latin to be rock solid on which sharks are which (since common names can be changed).

The way I understand it is that all Carcharhinus sharks need a permit to house.
Click to expand...

Do you know if it's a permit that anyone (well, relatively speaking) can get, or the kind that you only get for legitimate scientific reasons, like if it's for scientific research, or for a public aquarium, etc?
 
The permit isn't terribly easy to get. I got mine through a few contacts at the MBA. I don't think I need it, but always helpful to have it.
 
Wouldnt be suprised... the friggin government is trying to regulate everything and make everything illegal... pretty soon the only pet we will be able to have is a ROCK!
 
....my rock is better....lol at least their easy to feed...don't really leave to much of a mess....

Lol can't wait for one day 10 years.....I get a big enough tank to house bottom dwelling sharks and some rays... First I gotta learn on my 72 gallon....and save up money...job.
 
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