NEWPORT, Ore. (KOIN) — A salmon shark washed ashore dead in Newport on Wednesday, and biologists recovered the animal.
Salmon sharks are native to Oregon and feed on sea otters, birds, salmon, squid, sablefish, herring, walleye pollock and other fish, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The animals can grow to be 12 feet in length, but the average length is anywhere from 6 to 8 feet.
As long as residents have their fishing license, they are free to keep and eat them if they happen to catch one of the sharks.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said they’re unaware of any incidents where salmon sharks have attacked people.
For more information about salmon sharks, check out the video below from the biologists that brought the animal in.
