Dozens of Dead Sharks Wash Up in NJ — Experts Baffled
Mystery at the Jersey Shore: Why Did 30 Small Sharks Wash Up Dead?
What Happened?
Imagine taking a peaceful morning walk on the beach and stumbling upon nearly 30 dead sharks scattered across the sand. That’s exactly what happened to Michelle Greenling in Sea Isle City, New Jersey one Wednesday morning.
The sharks were spread out over roughly 10 blocks of beach — that’s a lot of sharks in one place!
IMPORTANT POINT
These weren’t giant great whites. They were small dogfish sharks (also called "sand sharks"), typically only 2–3 feet long. They’re common visitors to New Jersey waters.
Who Are These Sharks?
Meet the Dogfish Shark
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish) |
| Size | 2–4 feet long |
| Habitat | Coastal waters, often near the bottom |
| Behavior | Swim in huge schools — hundreds or even thousands together! |
| Danger to humans? | Almost zero — they’re too small and not aggressive |
Stephen Nagiewicz, a marine scientist at Stockton University, explains: "They swim in schools of hundreds if not thousands. So they’re pretty common in New Jersey."
The Big Question: Why Did They Die?
Right now, nobody knows for sure. But experts have two main theories:
Theory 1: Something in the Water Made Them Sick
- Maybe pollution, algae bloom, or disease?
- But: People swimming in the same water haven’t gotten sick.
- Nagiewicz says: "That’s probably unlikely since people haven’t been affected."
Theory 2: They Were Accidentally Caught by Fishermen (Most Likely)
- Fishing boats catch them by accident (called "bycatch")
- Fishermen dump them overboard — dead or dying
- Tides and currents carry them to shore
- They wash up on the beach over a wide area
Nagiewicz explains: "They dumped them over the side or lost a net with all the things in there by accident, and all those sharks just floated up on the beach with the tides."
Another Possibility: Nature’s Trap
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife adds a third idea:
During summer, dogfish swim close to shore to hunt for food. When the tide goes out, they can get trapped behind sandbars in shallow pools. Stranded and overheating, they die.
This happens every summer — but usually not 30 at once across 10 blocks.
What’s Happening Now?
- Investigation is ongoing — NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking into it
- Action News asked if other beaches saw similar strandings — no answer yet
- Scientists may examine some sharks to check for disease or injury
- Updates expected in coming days
Summary
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Where | Sea Isle City, NJ beach |
| What | ~30 dead dogfish sharks over 10 blocks |
| When | Wednesday morning (recent) |
| Who found them | Beach walker Michelle Greenling |
| Main theories | 1. Accidental catch & dump by fishermen (most likely) 2. Natural stranding by receding tide 3. Water contamination (unlikely) |
| Risk to people | None — sharks are small, deaths not linked to human illness |
| Status | Under investigation by NJ DEP |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Are dogfish sharks dangerous?
Nope! They’re small (2–3 feet), shy, and eat small fish, squid, and crabs. They have zero interest in humans.
Is it safe to swim at Sea Isle City?
Yes. No humans have gotten sick, and the water is being monitored. The shark deaths don’t appear linked to any human health risk.
Why so many at once?
Dogfish swim in massive schools. If a net catches one, it often catches hundreds. Or a whole school gets trapped by a falling tide together.
Do fishermen mean to catch them?
Usually not. Dogfish are often "bycatch" — caught accidentally while targeting other fish like flounder or sea bass. They’re sometimes discarded because they’re not the target species.
Has this happened before?
Yes, but rarely this dramatic. Single strandings happen each summer. A cluster this large across 10 blocks is unusual and worth investigating.
Stay curious, beach explorers! The ocean always has mysteries waiting to be solved.