Despite their speed and power, mako shark populations are under threat. As a highly migratory species, they often fall victim to longline fishing gear intended for other species.
Their fins are also sought after in the global fin trade. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now lists the shortfin mako as endangered.
Efforts are underway to protect this iconic species, including fishing bans and catch limits. Scientists are using satellite tagging and other tech to track mako movements and better understand their role in ocean ecosystems.
The mako may rule the sea as the peregrine falcon rules the sky, but even top-tier predators need a break from being hunted themselves.
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
