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Rare Sturgeon Carcass Surfaces on Jersey Shore
4 Jun
Summary
- A 4.5 to 5-foot bony fish carcass washed ashore at Sandy Hook on June 3.
- The fish is believed to be a federally-protected Atlantic sturgeon.
- Sturgeon are rare, slow-growing, and endangered due to historical fishing and current threats.
A large, bony sea animal carcass, measuring approximately 4.5 to 5 feet in length, was discovered on the shores of Sandy Hook on June 3. Day trippers Anida and Armin Hasikic found the remains and reported them to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The specimen is believed to be a sturgeon, a type of fish characterized by its bony plates and rarity.
Atlantic sturgeon are a federally-protected species, listed as endangered or threatened. These fish are known for their slow growth and late maturity, having been historically overfished for their meat and eggs. Despite fishing bans, they continue to face threats from commercial fishing nets, habitat loss, and dams.
The Hudson River is home to both Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon. While Atlantic sturgeon inhabit the ocean and return to rivers to spawn, shortnose sturgeon live their entire lives in freshwater. Both species are endangered, with the Atlantic sturgeon listed in 2012 and the shortnose in 1966.
