LIVE: Data From URI Shark Research Suggests Mako Sharks Are Overfished

LIVE: Data From URI Shark Research Suggests Mako Sharks Are Overfished

Bradley Wetherbee, a shark researcher at the University of Rhode Island, has tracked, captured and tagged mako sharks for 13 years. He says around 30 percent of those with transmitters were caught by a commercial or recreational fisherman. 

Through research, Wetherbee and colleagues learned the mortality rate for mako sharks is about 10 times the rate estimated by the international body that is responsible for managing the world’s mako shark fishery. 

Because of research Wetherbee published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B documenting shark mortality, and new data, Wetherbee says that regulatory body has now stated mako sharks are being overfished.

“We're not out to shut fishermen down, in fact quite the contrary,” Wetherbee says “we want mako shark populations fished at sustainable levels so that the mako shark population is healthy for years to come and that people can fish for makos far into the future.”

Wetherbee is building a research and education program for undergraduates to get hands on experience at URI. If you’re interested in contributing to shark research at URI you can donate and specify you’d like to give a gift to shark research.