Dead sharks and sturgeon will occasionally wash ashore. These mortalities can occur due to fishery interactions, boating, predation, parasitism, or other natural causes. The DEC collects information on the location, species, length, sex, and condition of these deceased individuals. If possible, the carcass is retrieved by DEC staff and a necropsy (animal autopsy) will be conducted to identify a potential cause of death. 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 the DEC salvage program by reporting observations of these deceased animals to DEC’s Marine Life Incident Report online survey 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
When reporting a shark or sturgeon: Please specify the exact coordinates, estimate the total length, describe the condition (fresh or decomposed) identify if there are any signs of trauma present, and take photographs of the entire individual.
