Top Shortfin Mako Fishing Countries

The shortfin mako shark (*Isurus oxyrinchus*) is a fast, powerful pelagic predator found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, prized for its speed and as a game fish. Its firm, high-quality flesh also makes it a target for commercial fisheries. The top shortfin mako fishing countries include Spain, Portugal, Japan, the United States, and Taiwan, which harvest this species primarily through longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish, with mako often caught as bycatch but also targeted directly for their meat and fins. Spain and Portugal are particularly significant in the North Atlantic, while Japan and Taiwan are major players in the Pacific. The fishing pressure from these countries has contributed to population declines, prompting international management measures, such as those by ICCAT and CITES, to regulate and monitor mako shark catches.

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