Nearly 30 Dead Sharks Washed Up on a Jersey Shore Beach. Here's Why.

A gruesome discovery on a New Jersey beach had residents worried about water contamination. However, marine life experts said that there was likely a more plausible explanation.

Discovery of 29 Baby Sharks Raises Concern in New Jersey

Michelle Greenling was enjoying a walk along New Jersey's Sea Isle City beach recently when she came upon two dead juvenile dogfish sharks. She was not particularly alarmed until she discovered dozens more. In total, there were 29 dead young dogfish sharks measuring about a foot long that were found washed up on the beach.

While the reports initially left many residents and visitors feeling unsettled, marine life experts believe that the discovery is nothing to be concerned about. Stephen Nagiewicz, an adjunct professor of marine science at Stockton University, said that all of the dead sharks likely turned up in the same place because they naturally travel together at that age.

Greenling noted that several of the fish had red marks on their bellies. She originally thought that perhaps the identical markings were indicative of the safety of the water. However, Nagiewicz told CBS News Philadelphia that the water was not likely the culprit, noting that "If it were some kind of toxic substance in the water, more fish would show up on the beach than just the dogfish."

Instead, Nagiewicz believes that the sharks may have become stranded due to tidal changes. For instance, they could have accidentally been trapped by fishermen trying to catch other species.

Nagiewicz did concede that the discovery of so many lifeless young sharks on one beach was odd, despite it not being indicative of a broader environmental problem. The sharks were quickly carried back out into the water when the tide waters came ashore.

CBS News Philadelphia reported that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said that these types of events are not that uncommon.

What to Do if You Encounter an Odd Wildlife Stranding

Residents are being advised to contact local authorities when they observe unusual wildlife strandings, either in the water or on land. Marine experts and environmental agencies are instrumental in helping identify the species, what caused the extinction, and if there is any threat to humans or other animals.

Some environmental agencies worry that the dogfish sharks were simply discarded by fishermen after inadvertently being caught up in netting. Better compliance with fishing rules and fines could serve as a deterrent to this type of activity. Even though the sharks were just babies, they are still an important part of the circle of life in the marine ecosystem.

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