Authorities say dozens of spiny dogfish sharks washed up on beaches last weekend across southern New Jersey.

According to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, conservation officers saw roughly 60 decayed dogfish during their patrols.

The sharks were found from Brigantine to Longport.

Officials say the dogfish may have gotten caught on a salt marsh in the bay during an extreme high tide followed by an outgoing tide, dying either there or in a tidal pool.

It's also possible another high tide carried the dogfish to sea, with strong winds pushing them onto the beach.

It's still not clear what caused the deaths, but officials believe it most likely was a natural occurrence.

Dogfish are members of the shark family that are commercially fished within state waters.