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Atlantic Fisheries Research Document 1996/026

Observations on shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the North Atlantic

By R.N. O'Boyle, G.M. Fowler, P.C.F. Hurley, M.A. Showell, W.T. Stobo, C. Jones

Abstract

Shortfin mako are caught as a by-catch to a number of fisheries, primarily that of tuna and swordfish. It only occurs incidentally in Canadian waters, being a warm water species. There is very little documentation of the catches and the effort in this fishery. Consequently, the Precautionary Catch Level of 250t set in 1995 as part of the Shark Management Plan was not based on biological assessment. Shortfin mako are at the northern limit of their range, associated with the warm water of the Gulf Stream. It is therefore unlikely that a directed fishery for this species in Canadian waters is feasible. Also, a directed fishery for it would likely result in significant by-catches of swordfish and possibly bluefin tuna.

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