On Monday, August 17, the Bay Head Police Department in northern Ocean County announced on social media that shark fishing from town beaches while using drones to deploy baits was prohibited.
Citing New Jersey state law (N.J.S.A. 2c:40-28d), the police department said New Jersey law prohibits knowingly operating or using an unmanned aircraft system to take or assist in taking of wildlife, noting this violation is considered a disorderly persons offense.
“This law will be enforced,” the police department stated, adding that all anglers are responsible for complying with all applicable New Jersey and federal fishing and shark regulations. On page 19 of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Digest for 2026, those regulations are spelled out in more detail, including the requirement that all shark anglers in New Jersey waters use non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks, except when fishing with flies or artificial lures.
In response to the drone decision in Bay Head and mainstream media headlines, Scott Thomas from Grumpys Tackle and Yakkity Yak Kayaks in Seaside, along with beach shark guide AJ Rotondella of Apex Anglers, met with Bay Head mayor Bill Curtis to discuss concerns surrounding land-based shark fishing while exploring potential solutions which benefits anglers, swimmers, and surfers alike.
“The discussion was productive, and everyone agreed that shark fishing is best conducted during non-swimming hours, from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. during the summer season while beaches are guarded, when the fishing is typically most productive anyway,” Thomas said on August 21.
“Bay Head has no plans to restrict fishing and everyone involved encourages anglers to remain respectful and mindful of people enjoying the water,” said Thomas, adding “The goal is to promote responsible fishing practices while allowing everyone – anglers, surfers, and swimmers – to safely enjoy Bay Head’s beaches and ocean.”
As reported in the August 2026 edition of The Fisherman Magazine, surf sharking was a topic of conversation at the July 9th meeting of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council in Galloway, NJ. In addressing the council, Lieutenant Chris Petruccelli with New Jersey’s Bureau of Law Enforcement said conservation officers are actively enforcing legal shark fishing on New Jersey beaches, while also confirming for The Fisherman that social media accounts (including Facebook posts) are monitored for regulatory compliance in proper handling of prohibited species.
“It’s certainly one of the factors for this type of violation, it’s not criminal, it’s a preponderance of the evidence, it’s civil in nature, it’s sort of like getting a parking ticket,” said Lt. Petruccelli, adding “any little piece of evidence is not going to make a case, but multiple pieces of evidence will, so social media will certainly come into play in whether or not we get a successful prosecution.”
In terms of the growing popularity of sharking fishing on the beach, Lt. Petruccelli added “it’s highly influenced by social media.” Headlines throughout the summer of 2026, ostensibly generated primarily by social media posts of hooked sharks being handled along the beach, have led to various management discussions and talks of municipal bans and prohibitions.
In response to the July 9th discussion, the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council prioritized a meeting of their shark advisory committee in advance of their next meeting in September, while soliciting volunteers from the audience from the land-based shark community to help in the discussion.
At this point, the ironing of details is officially underway in the state of New Jersey. The next meeting of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council will take place at 5 p.m. on September 10 at the Bay Avenue Community Center at 775 East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin.
