The New York State DEC is reminding anglers and beachgoers to report any dead sharks or sturgeon found along shorelines or in local waters as part of the agency’s ongoing Shark and Sturgeon Salvage Program. According to DEC officials, deceased sharks and sturgeon occasionally wash ashore due to fishery interactions, boating strikes, predation, disease, parasites or natural causes.
DEC staff collect biological data from these animals including species, size, sex and overall condition. When possible, carcasses are recovered for necropsies to help determine the cause of death. Tissue and biological samples are also shared with researchers and academic institutions to support ongoing scientific studies and fisheries management efforts.
Anglers and beachgoers are advised not to handle dead sharks or sturgeon, as possession is prohibited. Instead, DEC asks the public to report sightings through the Marine Life Incident Report online survey or by phone. Reports for Hudson River sturgeon can be made by calling 845-256-3073, while sharks and sturgeon found in marine waters should be reported to 631-444-0444.
When reporting an incident, DEC asks the public to provide the exact location or coordinates, estimated length of the fish, condition of the carcass, visible signs of trauma and photographs whenever possible.
