ARTICLE 20. White Sharks and Basking Sharks [8599. - 8599.4.]

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC 20.
in effect

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 8599. Section 8599.

(a) It is unlawful to take any white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) for commercial purposes, except under permits issued pursuant to Section 1002 for scientific or educational purposes or pursuant to subdivision (b) for scientific or live display purposes. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), white sharks may be taken incidentally by commercial fishing operations using set gill nets, drift gill nets, or roundhaul nets. White shark taken pursuant to this subdivision shall not have the pelvic fin severed from the carcass until after the white shark is brought ashore. White shark taken pursuant to this subdivision, if landed alive, may be sold for scientific or live display purposes. (c) Any white shark killed or injured by any person in self-defense may not be landed.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 8599.3. Section 8599.3.

The department shall cooperate, to the extent that it determines feasible, with appropriate scientific institutions to facilitate data collection on white sharks taken incidentally by commercial fishing operations.

Cal. Fish and Game Code - FGC § 8599.4. Section 8599.4.

The commission may adopt regulations to manage basking sharks. A basking shark may not be taken commercially unless the commission adopts regulations for that activity and the taking is in accordance with those regulations.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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