Dead sharks and sturgeon will occasionally wash ashore. These mortalities can occur for various reasons. When possible, the carcass will be retrieved by DEC staff and a necropsy (animal autopsy) will be conducted. Biological samples are collected and shared with several academic and scientific researchers in New York and across the country to facilitate multiple ongoing biological studies. These efforts improve our understanding on these mortalities which can help inform fisheries management.
If you encounter a dead shark or sturgeon, please do not handle the fish and leave it where you found it. Possession of these individuals are prohibited. You can help by reporting observations of these deceased animals to DEC’s Marine Life Incident Report form or by calling:
- 845-256-3073 for sturgeon found in the Hudson River Region.
- 631-444-0444 for sharks and sturgeon found in New York’s marine waters.
Take photographs then report the shark or sturgeon. When reporting, please specify the exact coordinates, estimate the total length, species, and describe the condition (fresh or decomposed).
