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Sharks of Onslow County
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Taxonomy & Biology

Taxonomy

Common Name(s): Atlantic sharpnose shark, Newfoundland shark, sharp-nosed shark, white shark

Scientific Name: Rhizopronodon terraenovae

Classification

  • Kingdom:  Animalia
  • Subkingdom: Bilateria
  • Infrakingdom: Deuterostomia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Subphylum: Vertebrata
  • Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
  • Class: Chondrichthyes
  • Subclass: Elasmobranchii
  • Order: Carcharhiniformes
  • Family: Carcharhinidae
  • Genus: Rhizopronodon
  • Species: terranovae

Biology

Population

The Atlantic sharpnose shark is abundant on continental shelves close to surf zone areas near sandy beaches and estuaries to deep water. Globally, their population is shown as growing by 1% (Carlson et al., 2021, p. 1). Combined data of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic stocks show that the population is increasing by 1.1% annually as of 2007. However, there are genetic differences between this stocks that demonstrate that they are different populations. The rate of change in population for this species is three (3) generation lengths, so this percent change is expected to result in changes in this time period. While no data is present for sharks off of North Carolina, South Carolina showed a decrease in populations of 1.7% over the survey period in 2007. Additionally, in this same area, trends in spawning biomass was decreasing.

Body Size

Currently, the fishing stock for Atlantic sharpnose sharks is "unknown" or "undetermined" for overfishing. The original SEDAR assessment conducted in 2007 determined that they are not overfished or undergoing overfishing, but this included a total of both Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico populations. These stocks are determined to be different from one another, so it is unknown if the population on the Atlantic side are being overfished or undergoing overfishing (ASFMC, 2024, p. 4). Fishing of this species is allowed, as of January 1, 2023, both commercially and recreationally. However, while no size limitation are noted, only one (1) shark may be caught per day, per person, recreationally. They are caught mainly as bycatch or in gillnets (Carlson et al., 2021, p. 1)

Distinguishing Characteristics

They get their name from their long, pointy snout. They are a smaller shark with a streamlined body. The dorsal side of their body will be various shades of grey, and their ventral side is white (NOAA Fisheries, 2024) . Adults will have white spots along the dorsal surface of its body. In juveniles, the dorsal and caudal fins will be edges with black. At all ages, the second dorsal fin originates over or behind the midpoint of the anal fin. The lower and upper jaws have 24-25 rows of triangular teeth.

Feeding & Diet

They primarily feed on bony fish that include menhaden, eels, silversides, wrasses, jacks, toadfish, and filefish. They also feed on worms, crab, shrimp, and mollusks. Stomach content analysis of Atlantic sharpnose sharks also found that they also consume loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta (Delorenzo et al., 2014, p. 1).

Position in the Food Web

Atlantic sharpnose sharks are considered a mesopredator. Their trophic level is dependent upon diet and geographical area (Delorenzo et al., 2014, p. 1).

Reproduction

Mating occurs in late spring and summer. Females will migrate offshore during pregnancy. They have a 10-11 month gestation period, and they will return nearshore and estuaries to give birth (ASFMC, 2024, p. 3) . They give birth to a litter of 4 to 7 pups that is proportional to the size of their mother. They are viviparous, meaning pups receive their nutrition from the mother via a placental sac. The Atlantic sharpnose shark differs from other species in its family, Carcharinids, in that the females develop their ovaries on the left and males have overlapping siphon sacs (Delius & Morgan, 2023).

Natural Mortality

The Atlantic sharpnose shark matures between 2-4 years old, or between 2-3 feet long. They have been observed to live up to 18 years that include mortality factors such as predation from other sharks, disease and old age. However, these sharks are very vulnerable to fishing pressures. The significant factor affecting their decline in population are fishing activities from recreational fishing and bycatch in commercial fisheries, as these sharks are unable to reproduce as fast as they are being caught (Marquez-Farias & Castillo-Geniz, 1998; Cortes, 1994).

Biodiversity

They are the most common shark species in the western Atlantic and are not currently listed as endangered under the U. S. Endangered Species Act (NOAA Fisheries, 2025). They are listed as "Least Concern" with their populations as increasing worldwide under the IUCN Red List (Charvez et al., 2019).

Demographics

The range of the Atlantic sharpnose shark includes the western Atlantic from New Brunswick to Florida which includes the Gulf of Mexico (Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 2025). During the summer, in Virginia, mostly mature males are seen except inside the Chesapeake Bay. They are a year-round resident in the waters of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Gulf of Mexico coasts.

Migratory Pattern

They migrate seasonally between inshore and offshore waters. In winter, females migrate to deeper offshore waters during pregnancy, and migrate nearshore to give birth and mate in the spring. They form large schools separated by sex during migrations (NOAA Fisheries, 2024).

Ecological Relationships

A study of Atlantic sharpnose sharks in Mexico showed more information is required to determine the ecological importance of this species (Garcia et al., 2022, p. 282-286). Their study showed that prey influenced behavior and enabled this species to be an apex predator of its environment. It demonstrated that this species may provide top-down controls in its trophic level.

Danger to Humans

These sharks have a moderate threat to humans. Their habitat is shared by humans, so interactions may occur. Most bites that occur from this species are non-fatal and not serious (Delius & Morgan, 2023).

Fishing Regulations

As of June 2025, in North Carolina, recreational anglers may keep one (1) Atlantic sharpnose shark per person per day under the Small Coastal shark species group (Rawls, 2022). There are no size restrictions, but it must be landed with head, tail, all fins intact. Recreational fishers must use non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks when when fishing for sharks. Commercial fishing has a more complex set of rules for fishing these sharks. 

Please Note: The fishing regulations and information provided on this website are for general information purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, fishing laws and regulations can change frequently and vary by location. It is the responsibility of each angler to verify the current local, state, and federal fishing laws before fishing. Always consult the official website or contact the appropriate wildlife and fisheries agency for the most up-to-date rules and regulations.

We are not liable for any penalties, fines, or legal issues that may arise from the use or misuse of the information on this site.

References

Carlson, J., Charvet, P., Blanco-Parra, M. P., Briones Bell-lloch, A., Cardenosa, D., Derrick, D., & Espinoza, E. (2019). Atlantic sharpnose shark. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved March 12, 2025, from https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39382/124408927

Cortes, E. (1994). Demographic analysis ofthe Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, in the Gulf of Mexico. Fishery Bulletin, 93, 57-66. https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-content/1995/931/cortes.pdf

Delius, B., & Morgan, A. (2023, December 28). Rhizoprionodon terraenovae. Florida Museum of Natural History. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/rhizoprionodon-terraenovae/

Delorenzo, D. M., Bethea, D. M., & Carlson, J. K. (2014). An assessment of the diet and trophic level of Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae. Journal of Fish Biology, 86(1), 385-391. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12558

Fernando Márquez-Farias, J., & Leonardo Castillo-Geniz, J. (1998). Fishery biology and demography of the Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Fisheries Research, 39(2), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-7836(98)00182-9

Garcia, J. M., Abara-Arenas, L. G., Mendez, O., Valero-Pacheco, E., & Montes de Oca, E. D. (2022). Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizopronedon terranovae (Elasmobranchii, Carcharhinidae) diet from Veracruz, Mexico. PANAMJAS, 17(3), 282-286. https://panamjas.org/pdf_artigos/PANAMJAS_17(3)_282-286.pdf

NOAA Fisheries. (2024, October 9). Atlantic Sharpnose shark. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-sharpnose-shark

NOAA Fisheries. (2025). Understanding Atlantic shark fishing. NOAA. Retrieved March 12, 2025, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-atlantic-shark-fishing

Rawls, K. (2022). Proclamation re: Commercial and Recreational Shark Harvest - Opening Date and Harvest Restrictions (F-3-2022). NC Division of Marine Fisheries. https://www.deq.nc.gov/marine-fisheries/fisheries-management-proclamations/2021/commercial-and-recreational-shark-harvest-opening-date-and-harvest-restrictions/open

Virginia Institute of Marine Science. (2025). Atlantic Sharpnose shark. Retrieved March 12, 2025, from https://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/sharks/species/atlantic_sharpnose.php
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