A nightmare for whale conservationists has been a dream for a shiver of hungry sharks.

A North Atlantic right whale that was suffering from fishing gear injuries has been found dead off the coast of North Carolina — where numerous sharks were spotted feasting on the whale’s carcass.

An aerial survey team from Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute last week spotted a partial whale carcass 25 miles off Avon, N.C.

Scientists in the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium reviewed images and confirmed it was “Division,” a 4-year-old male right whale.

Only a partial carcass remained due to the scavenging by the big group of sharks — many that were seen around the whale.

Researchers first noticed that Division was entangled on Dec. 3. A fishing line was wrapping around his head and mouth, cutting into his blowhole and embedded in his upper jaw.

After a partial disentanglement effort by research teams, scientists noted multiple signs that Division had been entangled for some time — and that the entanglement had led to a worrisome decline in his overall health. In recent weeks, the whale’s condition worsened.

Although Division’s location had been tracked, poor weather and the whale’s distance from shore prevented responders from conducting further disentanglement efforts.

“While this outcome is not a surprise given the severity of the entanglement, it’s still incredibly disheartening to bear witness to the death of a critically endangered right whale,” said Heather Pettis, senior scientist in the Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center.

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Division is the first detected North Atlantic right whale death since May 2024. Given the carcass’ location and dangerous weather conditions, retrieval and necropsy are not possible, NOAA said.

Federal authorities are analyzing the fishing gear that was removed from Division in December.

“Division’s entanglement and ultimate death serve as a stark reminder that human activities remain a clear and present threat to this species,” Pettis said.

Named in 2025 for his callosity pattern that looks like the mathematical symbol, Division was regularly spotted in the waters of New England and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He was the youngest of four siblings, born to mother “Silt” in December 2021.

Despite his young age, Division was no stranger to entanglements. Scientists had documented three previous entanglements over the years.

North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered large whale species in the world, with an estimated population of about 380 and only 72 reproductive females. Entanglements and vessel strikes remain the leading causes of death and injury for the species.

From 1980 to the present, scientists have documented more than 1,900 entanglement events involving over 87% of the right whale population.

Serious injuries and deaths of right whales caused by entanglements can be substantially reduced through broad-scale adoption of ropeless or “on-demand” gear and weaker ropes, according to researchers.

The New England Aquarium says it continues to “collaborate with industry partners, government agencies, and the research community to help advance a collective shift in fishing industry practices to protect these whales.”