Sharp-nosed Mackerel Shark 233 



depths down to 480 feet and may go deeper. Feeds largely 

 on schools of herrings and mackerel but also on other 

 available fishes. Young are large at birth and may be over 

 2 feet long and weigh over 25 pounds. From 1 to 5 young 

 are born at a time. 



Economic Importance: Of minor importance in the com- 

 mercial fisheries. It is of little interest to the angler because 

 of its sluggishness when hooked. 



Sharp-nosed Mackerel Shark, Mako 

 Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque 



Color: Deep cobalt to blue-gray on the upper parts of the 

 body, snowy white below. 



Distribution: Mediterranean, tropical West Africa, and 

 north to Norway. In the western Atlantic from the Gulf 

 of Maine south to Brazil. Common offshore from southern 

 New England to Maryland. 



Size: Reported to reach a length of 13 feet. Recorded 

 weights of specimens: 8 feet, about 300 pounds; 9 feet, 

 700-800 pounds; 10^2 feet, 1,000 .pounds. 

 General Information: An active, strong-swimming shark 

 often found offshore near the surface of the water. Feeds 

 mostly on fish, both the smaller school types such as her- 

 rings and mackerels and larger fish such as the swordfish. 

 Economic Importance: Of limited value in the commercial 

 fisheries. Some are marketed. Its habit of leaping when 

 hooked makes it one of the most desirable of sharks for 

 sport fishing. 



