Species profile
Longfin Mako Shark
Isurus paucus
Identify Longfin Mako Shark (Isurus paucus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Longfin Mako Shark (Isurus paucus) is an IUCN Endangered invertebrate regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Listed under MSA and CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Its pectoral fins are nearly as long as its head — the clearest visual distinction from the shortfin mako.
- An open-ocean predator inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters around the globe.
- Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to slow reproduction and heavy bycatch mortality.
- Like all lamnid sharks, it is endothermic and can maintain body temperatures above the surrounding seawater.
- Far rarer and less studied than the shortfin mako, with relatively few confirmed records worldwide.
Jurisdictions with rules for Longfin Mako Shark
Protected status
- Atlantic HMS prohibited — must release unharmed.
- CITES Appendix II (Longfin mako). CoP18 (2019).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus) is a species of mackerel shark in the family Lamnidae, with a probable worldwide distribution in temperate and tropical waters. An uncommon species, it is typically lumped together under the name "mako" with its better-known relative, the shortfin mako shark (I. oxyrinchus). The longfin mako is a pelagic species found in moderately deep water, having been…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Longfin Mako Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other invertebrates on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Longfin Mako Shark?
Longfin Mako Shark (Isurus paucus) is an IUCN Endangered invertebrate regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Longfin Mako Shark?
Longfin Mako Shark is Isurus paucus.
Is Longfin Mako Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Longfin Mako Shark has fishing regulations in 2 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Longfin Mako Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Longfin Mako Shark along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.