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New study shows high mortality rate of mako sharks

Shortfin mako on Wetpixel

A paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B shows that the fishing mortality rate for shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is significantly higher than has been thought. Researchers found that 30 to 40% of satellite tagged sharks were being captured in fisheries, which when extrapolated, means that the number being killed is 10 times higher than previously believed. (Image from Shutterstock.)