Conservation status

Blue sharks and Mako are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are reported to be among the most heavily fished sharks in the world mainly as result of bycatch in the tuna and swordfish fisheries. However, significant demand for shark fin soup has led to them being increasingly targeted in pelagic shark fisheries. Confounding the problem is the wide range of these sharks and the lack of monitoring, enforcement and collaboration among range countries.

Research

Currently the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marine and Coastal Management Branch is conducting research on these sharks.