NOAA Fisheries spokeswoman Julie Speegle says scientists counted 54 carcasses while taking tissue samples. Authorities initially said 30 sharks were aboard the vessel Bangun Perkasa, which was seized by the Coast Guard last month after a report that it had been illegally fishing with a drift net. More than 30 tons of squid were also found.
Speegle has said no charges are expected against the crew although the captain, who's from Taiwan, would be delivered to authorities in his country for legal action on their part.
A Dutch Harbor business bought the take. The squid is to be used as bait and the sharks ground up for fish feed.
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