Ashtyn Asay 
From illegal drone-assisted fishing practices drawing the attention of local police to the discovery of a prehistoric Megalodon tooth on a Sea Isle City beach, sharks have been making waves along the Jersey Shore lately. Local officials are cracking down on drone-assisted shark fishing, and a family of beachgoers made an unusual discovery while visiting Sea Isle City. A prehistoric Megalodon tooth was found on the beach, offering a glimpse into the area’s ancient past. Also in Sea Isle, nearly 30 juvenile sharks washed ashore, leaving beachgoers to wonder what’s happening in the water. Here’s what to know about the latest shark news making a splash across the Jersey Shore.
Two Towns Crack Down on Drone-Assisted Shark Fishing
While shark fishing is legal on the Jersey Shore (with the proper permits), using a drone to help land one isn’t. The controversial practice of drone-assisted shark fishing is facing a recent crackdown, with two Ocean County police forces reminding anglers that the use of drones to drop bait, hooks, or fishing lines into the ocean to catch wildlife is against New Jersey law.
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What Is Drone-Assisted Shark Fishing?
Drone-assisted shark fishing involves using unmanned aircraft to carry baited hooks or fishing lines beyond the surf to target larger sharks farther offshore. The practice was officially banned in the Garden State in 2018 by N.J.S.A. 2C:40-28(d), which specifically prohibits knowingly operating or using an unmanned aircraft system to take or assist in the taking of any wildlife, including sharks. Violators can be charged with a disorderly persons offense, which could result in up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
The Bay Head Police Department issued a public safety notice on August 17th, warning anglers not to use drones to carry or drop items off the beach to assist in catching sharks, and the Mantoloking Police Department followed suit on August 18th by issuing a similar public safety notice and urging all anglers to comply.
For Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis, the use of drones to attract sharks closer to shore isn’t just an issue of legality; it’s one of public safety.
“I am NOT against legitimate fishermen fishing for shark or other fish from our shore who follow common sense and rules of the beach but I AM against chumming for sharks or other predator fish using drones and other means to lure them close to shore solely for the fun of hooking and pulling sharks ashore for Social Media display to see how many hits by followers of such irresponsible behavior they can get without regard for the safety of swimmers, beach goers, or responsible fishermen,” Bill wrote in a statement to The Jersey Shore Girl. “There are rules, follow them or go somewhere else.”
Bill is calling on the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to create additional solutions for anglers who choose to utilize illegal fishing practices on the Jersey Shore.
“I wish the state fish and game people would recognize the problems created by these thoughtless individuals and come up with reasonable solutions/laws so real fishermen and non fisherman can live peacefully together,” Bill wrote. “I hope we catch some of these people and throw the “book” at them.”
For now, the message from local officials is straightforward: If you’re fishing for sharks from a Jersey Shore beach, leave the drone at home.
What About Shark Attacks?
Despite the possibility of bait from drone-assisted shark fishing drawing the animals closer to shore, attacks remain exceedingly uncommon. According to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, there were 65 confirmed unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2025, with nine resulting in fatalities. The United States ranked first worldwide with 25 confirmed unprovoked bites, including one in New York.
Father and Son Find Megalodon Tooth on Sea Isle City Beach
The Bowers family from Pennsylvania discovered a fossilized prehistoric Megalodon tooth on a recent trip to Sea Isle City. The father-and-son duo was searching for shells when they came across much more than they bargained for. Their find was later confirmed by the Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center
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The Megalodon was a massive ancient shark that went extinct nearly 3.6 million years ago. Scientists estimate that the largest Megalodons may have measured nearly 60 feet long, making them the longest carnivorous sharks in history.
Nearly 30 Dead Sharks Wash Ashore in Sea Isle City
Also in Sea Isle City, nearly 30 small sharks were found dead along a stretch of beach. According to a report from CBS News Philadelphia, a beachgoer counted 29 sharks during a morning walk on August 12th between 29th and 39th Streets. The sharks were approximately a foot long and appeared to be juvenile dogfish, a species known to travel in large schools.
Stephen Nagiewicz, an adjunct professor of marine science at Stockton University, said a toxic substance in the water was unlikely to have caused the deaths. Instead, he suggested the sharks may have become trapped by changing tides and stranded themselves, or that fishermen targeting other species may have accidentally caught and discarded them offshore.
Beach patrol officials and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection were contacted about the incident. Neither immediately confirmed the reported shark deaths, though a DEP spokesperson told CBS News Philadelphia that occurrences like this are not uncommon.
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