Shark Gutting: When & Why to Gut a Shark After Catching

No, you do not have to gut a shark as soon as you catch it. While it is recommended to gut a shark as soon as possible after catching it to prevent the meat from spoiling, it is not necessary to do so immediately.

However, if you plan on keeping the shark for a long period of time, it is best to gut it as soon as possible to prevent the meat from spoiling. If you are planning on releasing the shark, it is best to gut it before releasing it to prevent the shark from suffering from internal injuries.