The Mako is one of the most iconic and most recognizable shark species in the world, unfortunately making it a target. We're setting sail to learn about both species of Mako sharks- the Shortfin & Longfin Mako; while spreading the word on how to help save the world's fastest shark.
FAMILY: Lamnidae
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Isurus oxyrinchu & Isurus paucus
COMMON NAME: Shortfin Mako & Longfin Mako
The shortfin mako’s common name is derived from the Maori
term 'mako', meaning “shark”.
TYPE: Fish
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
DID YOU KNOW:
Can't distinguish a shortfin from a longfin Mako? Remember: Longfin Makos have much longer pectoral fins, slimmer bodies, larger eyes and tend to have darker snouts than Shortfin Makos.
DIVE IN THE MAKO
FUN FACT:
The Shortfin Mako is considered the fastest shark species and one of the fastest fishes in the world. These sharks can swim at speeds over 40mph(64kmh), are capable of quick bursts up to 60mph(96kmh) and known for their ability to leap great distances out of the water while hunting!
SIZE:
Both species of Mako can grow to 13-14 feet and can weigh in at over 1000lbs.
Mako males reach maturity at 7 to 9 years old (around 6ft/1.8m) while females don't reach maturity until 18 to 21 years of age (around 9ft/2.7m). As you can imagine, sharks' slow maturation rate gets their populations in trouble fast when coming up against numerous oceanic threats - keep reading to learn more!
AVERAGE LIFE SPAN:
Makos are estimated to live 28 - 32 years. As mentioned above, these sharks take basically a decade to reach sexual maturity. Once matured, mating is reported to occur summer to fall.
Females have a 3-year reproductive cycle which renders this species more vulnerable to overfishing in addition to their gestation periods of around 18 months. Litter size of Shortfin Mako is 12-30 pups measuring ~28in(60-70cm) but average 10-18 per litter, Longfin Mako give live birth to a litter of 2-8 pups at a time- though scientists have only examined few litters. pups at birth.
DID YOU KNOW
The large size of Mako pups at birth (~2ft/61cm) helps reduce the risk from potential predators and enhances their chance of survival.
Reproduction is viviparous(eggs are fertilized internally and develop inside the uterus and nourished in a yolk sac) and oophagous once youth hatch. (Oophagy is the ingestion of unfertilized or less developed eggs by a fetus that is more developed.)
DISTRIBUTION:
SHORTFIN MAKO
Enjoy the pelagic, open ocean habitat and are found worldwide in tropical, warm-temperate seas (inhabit waters above 16°C (60°F).
These sharks are highly migratory traveling across entire oceans and individuals making long migrations every annually. Shortfins occur from the surface to ~500 m(1640 ft).
DID YOU KNOW:
Shortfin makos host a variety of parasitic copepods and flatworms. These are found on the skin, in the mouth, in the gills, internally and on the fins.
-UFL, Florida Museum
Shortfin Mako Profile
LONGFIN MAKO
Are a poorly-known shark species found in tropical and warm-temperate seas which occur at depths of 760m(2500ft), but have been reported at 1,752m(5700ft).
Catches of Longfins may be underestimated in data, as misidentified as the Shortfin Makos.
DIET:
Mako sharks are partially warm blooded which enables them to hunt in cooler water temperatures. Makos take on fast-moving pelagic fishes like swordfish, tuna, other sharks, squid and on occasion marine mammals.
DID YOU KNOW:
Makos have specialized blood vessel structures – called 'countercurrent exchanger' – that allow them to maintain a higher body temperature than the water around them. While hunting in cold water, this adaptation gives them a major advantage by allowing them to move more quickly and intelligently.
CONSERVATION:
Despite being an open ocean species, not often known to hang around crowded beaches, Makos can still be potentially dangerous - with any wild animal they deserve respect and require lots of space to prevent senseless injuries or unwanted encounters.
According to the ISAF Shortfin Makos been implicated in 10 unprovoked attacks (1 resulting in fatality) on humans. It is reported that Shortfin Makos frequently damage boats and have injured anglers after being hooked.
To date, there has never been a reported attack of a Longfin Mako shark on a human, which may be attributed to the fact they are believed to be a deeper-dwelling, more elusive species.
But it's true that all sharks have far more to fear from humans than we do of them. Right as you read this post, Mako are being highly targeted for their meat, fins and liver oil. Large sharks like the Mako are taken in 'beach protection programs' (victims of shark culls and shark nets) that target sharks; additionally they are highly valued by big-game recreational fishers and commonly sought after in tournaments. Mako are also captured in coastal longlines, gillnets, trammel nets and sometimes trawls- particularly in areas with narrow continental shelves.
Globally, the Mako is considered over-harvested/overfished as a result of direct targeting and as by-catch associated with tuna and swordfish fisheries. In fact, Mako are either targeted commercially or captured accidentally in fisheries targeting other species throughout their entire range. The combination of these practices is driving down populations of Mako and scientists warn of their increasingly vulnerable to extinction.
Lastly, despite anglers feeling they should be "off the hook" for practicing 'catch and release' in tournaments or recreationally, it's vital to acknowledge these events as a threat Mako as well as other shark species like Thresher or Hammerheads.
Why? "Catch and release" recreational fishing poses a threat to sharks due to post-release mortality rates. If you consider that these large animals weighing hundreds or thousands of pounds are battling for sometimes several hours hooked on a fishing line and are exhausted, at times already to the point of death, before being dragged up onto the deck for a bloody photo op.
Recreational post-mortality rates are hard to calculate or are presumed lower due to a number of issues like under-recording and lack of enforcement or regulations, however it is believed the number is closer to commercial post-release mortality rates which average 30–33% for the Shortfin Mako on longlines.
“We know that the mako shark is biologically vulnerable to over-exploitation and that its numbers already are showing vast declines.”
Shark scientist from Aukland, New Zealand
Genetic work has identified three distinct subpopulations of Shortfin Mako that are assessed separately under the IUCN. The Longfin Mako is of serious conservation concern due to its rarity and poorly-documented take in intensive fisherie. The limited available population data on the Longfin indicates strong decline in population reduction of 50–79% globally.
Unfortunately, lack of scientific data, underreported catch data and the large scale nature of the Makos' movement patterns makes it challenging to collect accurate information about their populations status worldwide.
Without increased conservation and management efforts, this species’ populations will continue to decline, perhaps to a dangerous degree.
Current Protections:
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) includes the shortfin mako on their list of managed pelagic sharks, it is also listed under the 1995 UN Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UNFSA), which requires that all fishing States implement measures to conserve the species.
Helping the MAKO:
As a starting point to help you stay up to date on active campaigns, research and other ways you can support direct action- follow these accounts on social media:
You can also add your name to SeaLegacy's petition telling Canada they must vote
for sharks' protection. HERE
Take action and sign up with Only One HERE to sign petitions and learn more about taking impactful actions to help sharks and the climate.
Check out more in-depth information about
this species with below source links and shark organizations!