Pacific Sleeper Shark found at Boy Scout Beach

Observation by Barb Lake:

Not usually found washed up on shore. Injuries to the mouth indicated possible encounter with fishing gear could have led to it's death.

LEO Says:

The shark was reported to Cindy Tribuzio at NOAA, AFSC. She was able to confirm it was the same shark they found early on April 19th at Bridget Cove. She said the high tide moved it to Boy Scout Beach where it was a local attraction for several days. You can read related posts in LEO Network including the following: 1) 2021 Kasitsna Bay observation with potential evidence of human interaction, 2) 2012 King Cove observation, 3) 2014 Shishmaref observation (unclear if it was natural stranding or due to human interactions), 4) 2018 shark-related injuries in marine mammals, possibly due to shifting shark ranges as ocean conditions change.These citizen science based reports, a baseline of observations is being developed, something previously not available to biologists and managers.

Consult by Cindy Tribuzio:

Judging by the jaw injury, it was likely longline bycatch. I see about 1-2 of these a year when the local boats are fishing their halibut individual fishing quota (IFQ).