Pregnant hammerhead shark found dead

DELRAY BEACH, FL-- A dead, fish-hooked, pregnant hammerhead shark washed ashore on Delray Beach, but its 35 pups could not be saved, despite efforts by researchers, police said.

The 13-foot shark washed up around 3 p.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of North Ocean Boulevard and a large crowd gathered around it. A fish hook had to be removed from the shark's mouth. Police are not investigating because it is unclear where the hook came from and whether a crime was committed, police spokesman Jeff Messer said.

"Hammerheads can be recreationally and commercially harvested," Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Gabriella Ferraro said. "They are not a prohibited species."

A witness did see fishermen in the area around 5 a.m. Wednesday. They had a camper pickup with a shark fishing club bumper sticker, police said.

The remains of the shark were buried on the beach nearby.