NC Shark Conservancy investigates hammerhead stranding on Carolina Beach

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Shark Conservancy is investigating and researching a high profile stranding.

A 14-foot hammerhead shark was found Sunday near the pier on Carolina Beach.

The shark had a deep laceration at the base of its tail fin.

NC Shark Conservancy’s Chief Executive Officer Taylor Evans has a theory about what might have happened.

“It was a pretty clean cut, so it does look like it was probably either intentionally done or definitely kind of a man-made injury,” Evans said. “Then we noticed that there is a puncture wound near the mouth that was consistent with having had a hook in the mouth fairly recently.”

Evans added that hammerheads struggle with stress, so being hooked on a fishing line or being reeled into shore can be severely detrimental.

Researchers took tissue samples that can help with genetic studies and pathology.

If you ever discover a shark stranded on shore, contact NC Shark Conservancy.