The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding anglers and beachgoers to report any deceased sharks or sturgeon encountered along shorelines as part of its ongoing Shark and Sturgeon Salvage Program. These occasional wash-ups can result from a variety of causes including fishing interactions, vessel strikes, predation, disease, or natural mortality.
DEC staff collect key data such as location, species, length, sex, and overall condition, and when possible will retrieve specimens for necropsy to help determine cause of death. Biological samples are also distributed to researchers statewide and nationally, contributing to a broader understanding of these species and helping inform future fisheries management decisions.
The public is urged not to handle or remove any carcasses, as possession is prohibited. Instead, report findings through the DEC’s Marine Life Incident Report system or by calling 845-256-3073 for Hudson River sturgeon or 631-444-0444 for marine waters. When reporting, include coordinates, estimated size, condition, visible injuries, and photos if available.
