Sharks: victims, not perpetrators.
Overfishing has reduced abundances of sharks worldwide, with functional extinction of some species in former habitat strongholds. The world’s fastest shark, the shortfin mako ( Isurus oxyrinchus ) is globally endangered but remains overfished in the North Atlantic, and in high demand commercially for its meat and fins. There has been management inaction for decades partly because species data is poorly recorded. Unfortunately, despite improvements in data quality and models, regulators are not abiding by scientists’ advice, and nations do not agree to a quota to limit North Atlantic mako catches. However, with a good management, the North Atlantic stick recovery could be achieved by 2070. The mako’s common name is derived from the Maori term “mako”, which translated means “shark”. There are two living species of mako sharks: the longfin mako ( Isurus paucus ) and the shortfin mako. The longfin mako resembles the shortfin mako, but has larger pectoral fins and larger eyes. Makos ar...