Sharks are powerful animals. Ensure the safety of both the angler and the shark by handling and releasing Shark-Smart.​

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• Keep sharks, especially the gills, in the water. Removing sharks from the water increases the likelihood of injuries to the shark.

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• NEVER bring a large shark onto a fishing vessel, a pier or bridge or onto dry land beyond the surf zone unless you plan to harvest it.

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• Minimize handling and release time and do not delay release just to take pictures.

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• Do not sit on the shark’s back.

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• Use a long-handled dehooking device to help with hook removal if it does not delay release.

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• If you cannot safely and quickly remove the hook from the mouth, a bolt cutter may be used to cut the hook. If this method delays release or it becomes unsafe to do so, leave the hook in the shark and cut the leader as close to the hook as you can. Wire leaders can be cut with wire cutters.

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• Sharks that swim off with a long length of line trailing behind them may be less likely to survive.