A dead blue shark –one of the most common shark species in New England — washed ashore last night on a Hingham beach off route 3A, the Patriot Ledger reports.

Patrol officers were sent to investigate the scene after receiving a report shortly before 7 p.m. When officers arrived, they confirmed that a five to six-foot shark was lying dead on the beach.

The New England Aquarium was contacted along with the state environmental police. While the aquarium refused to retrieve the body, one of its research scientist, John Mandelman, said, based on the image (above) it appeared to be a juvenile female blue shark, according to the Patriot Ledger.

A public works crew was responsible for removing the shark’s remains from the beach this morning. While the official cause of death is unknown, Mandelman said the shark likely died after being released by a fisherman, or natural causes.

A blue shark last washed ashore in Quincy in 2011.

Photo from the Patriot Ledger