First Record of the Longfin Mako Shark for Puerto Rico
First Confirmed Record of the Longfin Mako Shark (Isurus paucus) for Puerto Rico
Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Cintrón-Nieves D, Franqui-Rivera G, Espinoza R, Orcera-Iglesias JM, Rivera-Ilarraza PJ, Rivera-Pérez CI, Rodríguez-Ferrer G.
ABSTRACT:
Isurus paucus (Longfin Mako) is a mesopelagic shark inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters. While records of Longfin Makos have been documented for the Western North Atlantic, only a few records exist for the Caribbean. On 3 March 2019, a large shark was found stranded off Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. We thoroughly examined the carcass and identified it as a 333-cm adult female shark with diagnostic characteristics consistent with that of a Longfin Mako. We analyzed collected skin for species identification, which confirmed the identification genetically. Longfin Makos are subjected to extensive fishing, both commercially and recreationally. Thus, they are of conservation concern due to their sparse distribution, low abundance, and external threats. International conservation measures need to be implemented to protect this squalid.
Caribbean Naturalist 71:1-9.