Ruqayyah Snyder
Mako sharks are one of the fastest shark species in the world, with some capable of travelling up to 60 kilometres a day for sustained periods. Mako sharks are highly sought-after by anglers due to their speed, unpredictable fighting style, and tendency to leap out of the water. While Mako sharks are not currently protected in Australia, they are the subject of conservation efforts by organisations such as the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI), who are working to have them listed as endangered under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is also implementing measures to minimise the bycatch of Mako sharks and reduce the incidental catch of these sharks through various management strategies, including area closures and data collection through logbooks and observers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mako shark status | Endangered |
| Mako shark species | Longfin mako, shortfin mako |
| Mako shark protection in Australia | Not protected |
| Mako shark conservation efforts | Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), Humane Society International (HSI), Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) |
| Mako shark management measures | Bycatch and discard workplans, Shark and Ray Handling Practices guide, Marine Bioregional Plans |
| Mako shark fishing regulations | Banned due to political principles, later overturned |
| Mako shark habitat in Australia | Southern Ocean, Bass Strait, east coast, offshore waters above 16 degrees Celsius |
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What You'll Learn
Mako shark conservation status in Australia
Mako sharks, one of the fastest shark species in the world, are currently facing a decline in population. The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) have pushed for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to classify longfin and shortfin mako sharks as endangered species. Mako sharks are protected in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which aims to protect and conserve the country's environment and heritage.
The Australian government has implemented measures to protect mako sharks and other marine species. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has developed management strategies to reduce the incidental catch of protected shark species. These include area closures, such as those under the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy, and the Shark and Ray Handling Practices guide, which assists commercial fishers in returning live sharks to the ocean and increasing their chances of survival.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society has also launched a Shark Champions campaign to advocate for the welfare and conservation of sharks and rays across Australia. Additionally, the Marine Bioregional Plans aim to improve decision-making regarding the protection of marine biodiversity and the sustainable use of marine resources. The Shortfin Mako has been identified as a conservation value in the South-west and Temperate East marine regions under these plans.
Despite these conservation efforts, mako sharks continue to be targeted by anglers and fishers in Australia. Mako sharks are sought-after game fish due to their speed, unpredictable fighting style, and impressive leaps out of the water. Fishers use various techniques, such as bait fishing with berley trails, to attract and catch mako sharks. However, it is important to note that fishing for mako sharks was temporarily banned in Australia due to the country's signatory to the Conservation of Migratory Species Treaty. This ban was later overturned, allowing anglers to target mako sharks once again.
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Mako shark fishing regulations
Mako sharks, including the shortfin mako and longfin mako, are among the fastest shark species in the world. They are apex predators and are known for their unpredictable fighting style and impressive leaps out of the water. Mako sharks are protected in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This legislation aims to protect and conserve Australia's environment and marine biodiversity.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has implemented several measures to protect mako sharks and reduce their incidental catch. These include:
- Requiring fishers to report any interactions with protected species through logbooks.
- Deploying observers on fishing boats to collect biological data and monitor interactions with protected species.
- Developing area closures to mitigate the catch of protected shark species.
- Implementing bycatch and discard workplans for each fishery to manage protected species interactions.
- Collaborating on the "Shark and Ray Handling Practices" guide to help commercial fishers return live sharks to the ocean and increase their survival rates.
In addition to federal regulations, each Australian state has its own approach to berley limits, which anglers must adhere to when targeting mako sharks. Anglers should also be aware of the Conservation of Migratory Species Treaty, which has influenced fishing policies in Australia.
While mako sharks are protected in Australia, there are still concerns about their conservation status. The Australian Marine Conservation Society and Humane Society International have advocated for urgent action to address the decline of mako shark populations, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has upgraded their status to Endangered.
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Mako shark habitat and behaviour
Mako sharks, comprising two species—the longfin mako and the shortfin mako—are large, migratory predators that inhabit the open ocean. They are among the fastest sharks in the world, with the shortfin mako being the fastest shark species, capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (74 kilometres per hour). This speed is attributed to their specialised blood vessel structure, known as a countercurrent exchanger, which allows them to maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water, giving them an advantage when hunting in cold waters.
Shortfin mako sharks have a broad geographical range, inhabiting tropical to temperate latitudes across all oceans. They are highly migratory, with individuals undertaking long migrations annually. These sharks are characterised by their pointed snouts, long gill slits, dark blue-grey backs, light metallic blue sides, and white undersides. They can grow up to 12 feet (3.8 metres) in length and weigh over 1200 pounds (545 kilograms). Shortfin makos have a slow growth rate and a long lifespan, reaching ages of over 30 years. They reproduce late in life, with males reaching maturity at around 8 years and females at approximately 20 years of age. They have a 3-year reproductive cycle and a gestation period of about 15 to 18 months, resulting in live births of a small number of large pups, which enhances their survival chances.
Longfin mako sharks, on the other hand, possess longer pectoral fins and larger eyes compared to their shortfin counterparts. They also differ in body shape, and the underside of their snout is darker. While information about their specific habitat and behaviour may be limited, they are closely related to shortfin makos and may occupy similar ecological niches.
Mako sharks occupy a high trophic position in the pelagic food web, primarily preying on bony fishes (including large tunas), squids, and other sharks. They also feed on small marine mammals, sea turtles, and even scavenge on dead organic matter. Adult mako sharks do not have any known natural predators, while juveniles may fall prey to larger sharks and possibly cannibalistic adults.
In terms of conservation, mako sharks face significant threats from commercial fishing and accidental capture in fisheries targeting other species. Their fins and meat are highly valued in the market, contributing to the decline in mako shark populations worldwide. Efforts to protect mako sharks in Australia are evident, with the Australian Marine Conservation Society advocating for their conservation and pushing for increased international protection. The Australian government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 also provides a legal framework for the protection and conservation of the country's environment, including shark species.
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Efforts to protect mako sharks
Mako sharks, one of the fastest shark species in the world, have been facing a decline in population. The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) have been campaigning for the conservation of these sharks. Here are some of the key efforts to protect mako sharks:
- Conservation Efforts by AMCS and HSI: The AMCS and HSI have played a crucial role in advocating for the protection of mako sharks. They have pushed for the re-evaluation and upgrading of the conservation status of these sharks, recognizing their endangered status.
- International Collaboration: Australia's participation in international treaties, such as the Conservation of Migratory Species Treaty, demonstrates its commitment to conserving migratory species, including mako sharks. Additionally, the Australian government has supported proposals at United Nations meetings, such as the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to increase international protection for mako sharks and regulate their trade sustainably.
- Environmental Legislation: Australia has implemented the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which provides legal protection to several shark species. This legislation aims to safeguard Australia's environment and heritage, including the conservation of marine biodiversity.
- Management Measures: The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has implemented various management measures to minimize the bycatch of shark species. They collect data on interactions with protected species and require fishers to report any such interactions through logbooks. AFMA also deploys observers on fishing boats to gather biological data and make environmental observations, contributing to the monitoring of interactions with protected shark species.
- Shark Handling Practices: AFMA, in collaboration with Monash University and the shark fishing industry, has developed "Shark and Ray Handling Practices". This guide aims to assist commercial fishers in southern Australia to safely return live sharks to the ocean and increase their chances of survival. It addresses practices such as shark finning and provides guidance on handling and releasing sharks responsibly.
- Marine Bioregional Plans: Marine Bioregional Plans have been developed to improve decision-making under the EPBC Act, particularly regarding the protection of marine biodiversity and the sustainable use of marine resources. These plans provide a comprehensive understanding of Australia's oceans, including the conservation values and biodiversity objectives for each marine region. The Shortfin Mako has been identified as a conservation value in specific marine regions, highlighting its importance in Australia's marine ecosystem.
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Mako shark population decline
Mako sharks, the world's fastest sharks, are facing a population decline. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified both the longfin and shortfin mako sharks as endangered species. Mako sharks are large, highly migratory sharks that occur across all temperate and tropical ocean waters. They are apex predators and play a crucial role in regulating the species below them in the marine food web.
The primary cause of the mako shark population decline is overfishing. Mako sharks are valued for their fins and meat, and as a result of targeted catch and bycatch, their populations have declined steeply in the North and South Atlantic and moderately in the North Pacific and Indian Ocean. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has implemented measures to minimise the bycatch of shark species and protect shark populations. These include logbooks for fishers to report interactions with protected species, observers on fishing boats to collect biological data, and closures to mitigate the catch of protected species.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) are advocating for the protection of mako sharks, urging the Australian government to take urgent action to halt their decline. The AMCS and HSI launched the Shark Champions campaign in early March to build a community of advocates for shark conservation across Australia.
In addition to conservation efforts in Australia, international organisations are also working to protect mako sharks. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas announced a two-year ban on retaining, shipping, or landing North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks in 2021. Despite these efforts, the shortfin mako shark has been denied federal protection by NOAA Fisheries, which stated that a listing under the federal Endangered Species Act is "not warranted." This decision has been met with disappointment and criticism from conservation organisations.
The slow reproductive rate of mako sharks further exacerbates their population decline. Shortfin mako sharks, for example, have a 3-year reproductive cycle and do not reproduce until they are about 8 years old for males and 19 years old for females. As a result, they are unable to recover quickly from substantial population losses.
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Frequently asked questions
Mako sharks are currently not protected in Australia, despite efforts from conservation charities to get them listed as endangered. The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) have been campaigning for better management and protection of mako sharks, particularly the shortfin mako, which has been identified as a conservation value in two marine regions.
Mako sharks are not currently listed as endangered in Australia, but they are considered a protected species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has implemented management measures to minimise the bycatch of mako sharks and is working to reduce the incidental catch of these sharks.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) are advocating for the protection of mako sharks and have launched campaigns to build support for their conservation. The Australian government's Department of the Environment is responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs, and legislation to protect Australia's environment, including marine life such as mako sharks. AFMA, in collaboration with Monash University and the shark fishing industry, has also developed handling practices to help commercial fishers return live mako sharks to the ocean and increase their survival rates.
