A 14-foot thresher shark died after becoming stranded off the coast of Massachusetts, according to the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA). The shark, a male, was discovered on a beach in Wellfleet on Tuesday and could not be resuscitated despite rescue efforts.
Thresher sharks frequently become stranded in Cape Cod Bay during their annual southward migration, often becoming trapped and unable to navigate back to deeper waters. Prolonged exposure to the colder temperatures of the region can lead to cold stunning or cold shock, ultimately proving fatal. This incident underscores the challenges these vulnerable marine animals face during migration and highlights the work of organizations dedicated to their rescue and conservation.
NECWA responded to the stranding and confirmed the sharkS death. “A handful of threshers strand each season as they get trapped inside Cape Cod and are unable to continue their migration south,” said Wayne carson of NECWA. “If they stay in our area too long, then they will become cold-stunned or cold-shocked and die.”
Thresher sharks are characterized by their exceptionally long tail fin, which can be as long as their body, and are typically found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. They are not considered dangerous to humans and primarily feed on schooling fish.
NECWA is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization. Those interested in supporting their work can contribute at necwa.org.
