“06880” does not usually post stories about Fairfield beaches.
But sharks don’t usually wash up on nearby shores, either.
Alert — and safety-minded — “06880” reader David Loffredo reports that 2 dogfish sharks were found on the Fairfield sand.
Be careful out there!
(Photos/David Loffredo)
NOTE: Monday is the last day of lifeguard coverage at Compo Beach.
Sand sharks have been in the sound for ever. Have lived in Connecticut all my life in Milford and Weston. I have caught dogfish aka sand sharks since I was a kid. They are a vital part of the ecosystem and are bottom feeders eating shell fish and dead fish.
No big deal.
I remember as a child (about 10) fishing with my parents in Long Island Sound and catching a sand shark. I remember how much it fought my line, but we didn’t keep it. Not enough to eat. My father threw it back.
Long Island Sound has lots of sharks in it. One need only visit the Maritime Center in Norwalk and look at the LI Sound exhibit to see exactly what fish species commonly live in the sound. Long Island Sound may look like a big bathtub, but there are big-toothed critters in there!
This is ridiculous there is no reports of any missing attorneys… and as stated in another post… they been here FOREVER AND MANY ARE BOTTOM FEEDERS…
Lol. ROFLMAO
Great reply.
Both spiny and smooth dogfish sharks are very common in the Sound, so it’s not abnormal. They hang out at the bottom of the water column, do chase their prey aggressively in packs; no need to worry but do be careful of the spines in front of each dorsal fin on the spiny dogfish.
I remember seeing small ones at Burying Hill over the years- not often but once in a while
In all my years of beating and beach-going, can’t say that I ever recall seeing the sand sharks washing up dead on the shoreline.
Jellies and horseshoe crabs seemed the norm.
However, I have caught small (and rather large) sand sharks off the boat in the sound … THAT’s normal, LOL.
Wonder if the recent sewage leaks are having a longer term residual effect on the bottom feeder ocean life … since the sludge is likely at the bottom. Kinda makes sense to me. More dead “fish” washing ashore.
I agree. That there are sand sharks in LI Sound is not unusual. That they are washing up dead is.
“In all my years of *boating … “ LOL!
I hate iPhone keyboard with a passion!
Sharon….It’s the dreaded auto correct. It doesn’t matter if you have Apple (IPhone) or Android.
Yes, I know. But I felt like being pedantic about my iPhone, because Apple screwed things up, and now my beloved brand is just a shitty as all the others! (snarking a bit). 😉
Oh man! Sharks on the cape too!
At least two-dozen species of sharks live in Long Island Sound.
As several people have mentioned, dogfish sharks, like the ones pictured here (these look to be smooth dogfish sharks — also known as sand sharks — not spiny dogfish) pose no danger to people.
I occasionally, inadvertently caught them while fishing for striped bass along Westport shores while growing up in the 1970s.
Unfortunately, some anglers back then would throw them up on the beach and let them die because they perceived them as “junk fish,” and so I would sometimes see dead ones on the beaches.
Maybe some uninformed, ignorant anglers still do this?
I hope not.
They’ve been listed as threatened and endangered several times over the years, mostly from over-fishing by commercial outfits to meet growing demands in parts of Europe, where they’re more popular for eating than in the U.S.
Thanks to regulations and other protection efforts, I think they’re making a comeback in the Atlantic.
I remember seeing a few sand sharks washed up on Compo Beach in the 1940s,
These little sharks are harmless!!! And it is their environment, not ours!!
yup so dont know why the article says “be careful” unless its a joke
There have always been sharks in the sound, big ones at that. LI Sound is a habitat for brown sharks and even pelagic species are known to at least past through. Many avid striper or bluefish anglers can relate stories of while reeling in a nice size fish how thecline suddenly went dead & when realed in found a half eaten striper.
A fish estimated to probably have been at least 30lbs is now reduced to just the head. Takes a decent size shark to oblige that mouthful.
Mako sharks have been caught here & recently it was reported a great white was in NY waters within the sound havin had galavanted up from the Hudson, who knws maybe following some seals.
So no need for alarm.
Oh no be careful those dog fish have no teeth
They do have sharp teeth and strong jaws for biting down on prey — and the spiny dogfish sharks have sharp spines near their dorsal fins — but they are not a threat to people.
They are no threat to people everyone gets a little wet when they see a shark they no nothing about
I agree they are not a threat to people. Hence, my writing: “They are not a threat to people.” My point is, they do indeed have teeth. Sharp teeth. Some folks apparently don’t know that.
Joe is correct. Dogfish do not have sharp teeth there teeth are actually rounded to crush the shells of crabs and other shell fish.
Joe said they have no teeth. Not sure how that’s correct. Regardless, their teeth are pretty sharp. They use them to eat squid, fish, crab, jellyfish, sea cucumber, shrimp and other invertebrates. They’re not as sharp and pointed as some sharks, and not as sharp as bluefish, but still pretty sharp — sharp enough that I’ve cut my fingers on them a few times while unhooking them.