California law question

[nathanzhang]

so in california where I live, all sharks of the carcharhinus genus are banned which includes reef sharks. However, the whitetip reef shark is not of the genus carcharhinus so does that mean they can be kept.
Note, as of right now I do not seek to keep sharks of any kind but I do have some friends who are interested.

 

[nathanzhang]

bump, in addition what is the status of bonnethead, sharpnose, and zebra sharks

 

[nathanzhang]

bump, but I have heard zoodiver say that whitetip reef sharks are illegal in california

 

[krj-1168]

It is not just the genus Carcharhinus - but all Carcharhinids(requiem sharks) - which would include the White-tip reef, and the Sharpnoses. But it does not include the Bonnethead (since they are a species of hammerhead) or any of the Smooth hounds (which include the California Leopard shark). The Zebra Shark is technically a species of Carpet shark - so they are NOT included either.

 

[nathanzhang]

thank you very much
but it says
Family Carcharhinidae -Requiem Sharks: All species of genus Carcharhinus (Freshwater sharks) (D). (B)

which I interpret as just the genus Carcharhinus

 

[krj-1168]

Well - technically the only true freshwater sharks are of the genus - Glyphis - the river sharks of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, & New Guinea. They are not a species of the genus Carcharhinus, however they are still a part of the family of Carcharhinids. The only species of Carcharhinus which is regularly found in freshwater is the Bull shark ( C. leucas).
Something to remember that most enforcement agents & law makers - are not biologists or scientists. So such laws are often made with very basic scientific understanding.

 

[nathanzhang]

thanks