Top Longfin Mako Fishing Countries

The longfin mako shark (*Isurus paucus*) is a large, fast-swimming pelagic shark distinguished by its elongated pectoral fins and streamlined body, inhabiting tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Unlike its more famous relative, the shortfin mako, the longfin mako is less commonly encountered and is considered rare. The primary countries involved in the harvest of longfin mako are Japan, Taiwan, Spain, Portugal, and some Caribbean nations, where the species is mainly caught as bycatch in longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish. The meat, fins, and liver oil of the longfin mako are utilized, but overfishing and bycatch have led to significant population declines, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to list the species as Endangered. International management and conservation measures are increasingly important to ensure the sustainability of longfin mako populations, as their slow reproductive rate makes them especially vulnerable to overexploitation.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.