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Species Directory

Shortfin Mako Shark

Overview Conservation & Management
The shortfin mako is a large and highly migratory shark that occurs across all temperate and tropical ocean waters.

Shortfin Mako Shark

Isurus oxyrinchus

Side-profile illustration of a bluish gray shortfin mako shark with white underside and pointed snout. Sides are light metallic blue and eyes and pectoral fins smaller (compared to longfin mako shark). Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Region
New England/Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Islands, Southeast, West Coast

About the Species

The shortfin mako is a large and highly migratory shark that occurs across all temperate and tropical ocean waters. 

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Lamniformes
Family Lamnidae
Genus Isurus
Species oxyrinchus

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/10/2022


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Related Species

Left-facing side profile illustration of great white shark with white underside. Top half of body and most of tail is dark gray.

White Shark

Side-profile illustration of a bluish gray common thresher shark with white underbelly and sickle-shaped tail fin. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Atlantic Common Thresher Shark

Side-profile illustration of a bluish gray common thresher shark with white underbelly and sickle-shaped tail fin. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Pacific Common Thresher Shark

Management Overview

In November 2022, NOAA Fisheries determined that the shortfin mako shark does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act.


Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Shortfin Mako Shark Under the Endangered Species Act

We, NOAA Fisheries, have completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) in response to a petition from Defenders of Wildlife to list the species. After reviewing the best…
  • 12-month Finding (87 FR 68236, 11/14/2022)
  • 90-day Finding (86 FR 19863, 04/15/2021)
  • Endangered Species Act Status Review Report: Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrin…
  • References for 12-month Finding
  • Petition (2021)
Notice,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
Published
November 14, 2022

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 11/10/2022

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