California · Fish and Game Code - FGC

FGC §5517: (a) Except as authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Section 1002, or as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 8599, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (1) Take any white shark (Carcharodo

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Taking white sharks or using bait/lures to attract them is unlawful without a permit. Placing shark bait near shore when white sharks are present is also prohibited.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Except as authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Section 1002, or as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 8599, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (1) Take any white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). (2) Use any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum to attract any white shark. (3) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water within one nautical mile of any shoreline, pier, or jetty when a white shark is either visible or known to be present. (4) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water for the purpose of viewing any shark when a white shark is visible or known to be present. (b) For purposes of this section, “shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum” means any natural or manufactured product or device used to attract sharks by the sense of taste, smell, or sight, including, but not limited to, blood, fish, or other material upon which sharks may feed, and surface or underwater decoys.

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