Nurse shark

Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) — field identification starting point: a cartilaginous fish with exposed gill slits rather than a bony gill cover; body shape, fins and markings must be checked carefully for species-level identification.

Most are around 10 ft (304 cm).

Up to about 14 ft (430 cm) long and 242 lb (109.6 kg). Source: FishBase

The nurse shark feeds at night on bottom animals like spiny lobsters, shrimp, crabs, sea urchins, squid, octopus, snails and clams. It also eats fish like catfish, mullet, puffers and stingrays.

It is a slow, solitary shark often found lying on the bottom over sand flats, in channels and around coral reefs; young hide among red mangrove roots. It may bite if bothered or stepped on.

Found in Puerto Rico. Start in the documented habitat and substrate for this species, then narrow the search using depth, current, structure and food activity. Habitat reference:

Habitat: reef, rocky bottom, sand bottom, mangrove, intertidal and coastal waters.

From the surface down to 427 ft (130 m), usually 3 ft–115 ft (1–35 m).

Release-first species on this BigJoe guide: do not target it for harvest. If caught incidentally, release promptly in the water or with minimal air exposure.

Water: marine and brackish. Habitat: reef, rocky bottom, sand bottom, mangrove, intertidal and coastal waters.

No directed season is recommended; check the current legal status before every trip.

No target time is recommended; release any incidental capture promptly.

No target tide is recommended; choose conditions that allow safe handling and release.

Choose sea state, wind and visibility that let you hold position and handle the fish safely. Avoid treating rough weather as a feeding advantage.

No harvest-targeting bait recommendation is provided. Incidental captures should be released promptly.

No directed lure recommendation on a release-only page; avoid intentionally targeting the fish unless current rules expressly allow the activity.

Release kit first: appropriate rod/reel, strong line, dehooker, long pliers/cutters and a plan to keep handling time minimal.

If an incidental hookup occurs, use strong release-friendly terminal tackle and cut the leader near the hook if removal would cause more injury.

Use tackle strong enough to shorten any incidental fight and support a quick release.

Use an abrasion-resistant leader that can be cut quickly if dehooking is unsafe.

Release-first guidance only: identify, minimize fight/handling, dehook in the water when practical and release promptly.

Let it go quickly if you're not keeping it.

Do not keep — this species is protected in Florida and/or U.S. federal waters, and in many Caribbean countries. Release it quickly.

Not for the table — release it.

Safety first: Do not hand-handle. Large sharks can cause severe bite injuries; most sharks do not seek people as prey. FOOD ADVISORY — FDA/EPA lists this fish type among the highest-mercury choices to avoid for people who are or may become pregnant, breastfeeding, and young children. If you keep it and it's appropriate for food use: handle the animal safely, chill promptly, use heavy gloves and a stable cutting surface, skin/portion with clean tools, and keep meat cold. Shark retention and food-safety rules can be species-specific, so confirm both before cleaning.

If the exact shark is legally retained and considered suitable for food, cook the meat thoroughly using current seafood-safety guidance; 145°F (63°C) is the FDA target for fish. Check species-specific mercury and harvest restrictions first.

Do not hand-handle. Large sharks can cause severe bite injuries; most sharks do not seek people as prey. FOOD ADVISORY — FDA/EPA lists this fish type among the highest-mercury choices to avoid for people who are or may become pregnant, breastfeeding, and young children.

Rules: Nurse shark — prohibited: Puerto Rico territorial rule: release-only or prohibited as listed by DRNA. Do not retain. | Puerto Rico territorial rules in this guide prohibit retention. NOAA Atlantic HMS recreational rules otherwise list nurse shark in the 54 in fork-length / 1-shark vessel aggregate group, so jurisdiction matters; follow the more restrictive rule where applicable.

Avoid needless kills and follow protected-species, area and season rules.