Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Partially verified
Handling & regulations: The Virginia-encountered Northwest Atlantic population is federally confirmed open as of 2026-08-18: 78" fork-length minimum size, 1 shark total per vessel per trip, and cannot be retained if swordfish, tuna, or billfish are already aboard that trip. This is a real, important-to-state distinction: 4 other scalloped hammerhead population segments elsewhere in the world (Eastern Pacific, Eastern Atlantic, Central & Southwest Atlantic, Indo-West Pacific) are separately listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act — that listing does not apply to the open Northwest Atlantic population Virginia anglers actually encounter, but always confirm current federal status before targeting or retaining one. Also a completely separate management category and minimum size from bonnethead shark (a 'small coastal shark' with no minimum size) — see the bonnethead-shark entry. Recreational anglers must hold a federal HMS Angling or Charterboat/Headboat permit *with a shark endorsement* to legally retain any shark species at all — most anglers fishing without one must release every shark regardless of that species' individual status, and Virginia (VMRC) rules may add further restrictions on top of federal ones. Anyone targeting sharks (from shore or a vessel) is also federally required to carry a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook. If removing the hook would delay release, cut the leader or hook as close to the hook as possible instead — the shark does not need to be lifted, dragged onto dry sand/a pier deck, or restrained to be released safely, and a shark should stay in the water throughout release whenever that's achievable.
Commonly confused with: Bonnethead Shark. If you're not sure which one you've caught, treat it as the more restricted species and release it until you can confirm.
Identification
Hammer-shaped head with a pronounced, curved notch (scallop) at the midpoint and 4 bumps across the front edge — more curved and less straight-edged than great hammerhead's head, Distinguishes it from bonnethead shark's smooth, unnotched, shovel-shaped head — a completely different, much smaller 'small coastal shark' species, Can reach up to 11 feet and 335 lbs
Where this fish fits
These are discovery categories describing where anglers realistically fish for this species, not a guarantee this project has confirmed regional access at every listed setting — see the linked locations below for this project's own actually-sourced spots.
- Typical season
- Warmer months, in coastal and nearshore Virginia waters — NOAA's documented western Atlantic range runs from New Jersey to Florida, directly including the Virginia coast.
- Habitats
- Coastal and nearshore waters
- Food use
- Eat with caution
Data not yet verified.
This site hasn't checked for a fish-consumption advisory covering this species yet. That is not the same as confirmed safe — check current official guidance before eating your catch.
Seasons, size limits, and possession limits change and vary by water body. Always check the current regulations at the current regulations page before you fish.
- Bait & lures
- Cut or live fish bait on circle hooks, typically from a boat
- Beginner difficulty
- Challenging
Part of this record is confirmed against an official source; other parts are not. See the notes below for exactly which.
The 78" minimum size, 1/vessel/trip bag limit, and swordfish/tuna/billfish retention restriction are directly confirmed against NOAA's own recreational Atlantic shark fishery status page; the New Jersey-to-Florida range and the 4 separately ESA-listed non-Northwest-Atlantic population segments are directly confirmed against NOAA's own scalloped hammerhead species page. Head-shape identification features are directly confirmed against Scuba Diving/NOAA shark-identification comparison materials. Habitat/season notes remain general regional knowledge, not individually fact-checked.