Dead Basking Shark Found in Channel Off Boston Harbor

It appears the marine animal may have been struck by an inbound ship

A dead basking shark has been found floating in the Reserved Channel off Boston Harbor.

Tony Lacasse, a spokesman for the New England Aquarium, said the shark - which exclusively feeds on plankton - was found floating about 50 yards off Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

About two weeks ago, Lacasse said an inbound container ship noticed a large marine mammal draped around the bow of the ship. At some point from the mouth of the harbor into the channel, the animal slipped off. He said the shark may have died when it was hit by the ship.

The shark is about 24 feet long and 9 feet wide, from fin to fin, and is believed to weigh a few tons.

The animal's carcass is still floating near the mouth of the reserve channel and is expected to drift back out into the harbor.

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