Shortfin Mako

Fishing limits

Shortfin Mako do not have a size, bag or boat limit restrictions in South Australian waters. Take only what you need for personal use.

Fishing gear restrictions apply to metropolitan shark fishing.

Live Shortfin Makos must be released unharmed to the water in Commonwealth managed fisheries operating off South Australia *link to Commercial fishing > fisheries? (outside 3 m).

How to identify a Shortfin Mako

Description

Shortfin Makos have:

• indigo/dark blue fading to light blue, silver and white underside
• sharply pointed conical snout
• a long slender body
• long slender inward curving teeth
• distinct keel-like feature where the body joins the tail.

They can swim at very high speeds and can jump out of the water either when hooked or whilst feeding.

They feed on:

• fish
• other sharks and rays
• pelagic squids
• marine mammals.

Shortfin Makos are 60-70 cm in size at birth. They range in size up to 4 m and live for up to 30 years.

Habitat

Shortfin Mako are warm-blooded and highly migratory. They are found in South Australian shelf and oceanic waters throughout the year.

Shortfin Makos sometimes visit reefs in southern Spencer Gulf and migrate between:

• South Australia and Western Australian waters
• south of the continent into cool, sub-tropical waters, south of 43-degrees latitude.