In the USA, the Bonnethead Shark is classified as a small coastal species in the Federal Management Plan (FMP) for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, together with the Blacknose Shark (Carcarhinus acronotus), the Finetooth Shark (C. isodon), the Smalltail Shark (C. porosus), the Atlantic Angel (Squatina dumeril), the Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terranovae) and the Caribbean Sharpnose (R. porosus) sharks (NMFS 1993). The small coastal shark complex is not currently considered to be overfished, but there are fishing regulations in effect. A more recent FMP (NMFS 1999) called for more stringent measures, including a reduction of the annual commercial quota for small coastal sharks to 359 t.

The Bonnethead Shark is a very abundant species, with early age at maturity, short lifespan and generation time, and high litter size and population growth rates, capable of withstanding much higher removal levels than many other species of sharks. It is thus considered to be of lesser risk because of its life history and population characteristics.