Overview
- A Sea Isle City beachgoer counted 29 small dead sharks along about a 10-block stretch between 29th and 39th streets on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
- Stockton University experts and multiple reports identified the animals as roughly 1-foot juvenile dogfish that often travel in large schools.
- Marine scientists said the most likely causes are natural tidal strandings behind sandbars or accidental capture and offshore discard by fishermen.
- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Fish and Wildlife said such summer strandings are not uncommon and declined to open a formal investigation.
- Reporters found the carcasses gone by midday and residents who saw red markings on some sharks have urged monitoring and enforcement if illegal fishing is suspected, with officials noting continued routine beach and wildlife surveillance.