Longfin Mako

Identification and comparisons

The exceptionally long pectoral fins are the first clue, but not the only one. Look for a pointed snout, large eyes, crescent tail and dark coloration beneath the snout and around the mouth. Shortfin makos have shorter pectorals and a paler mouth region. A blue shark also has long pectorals, but its tail lacks the mako’s strongly crescent-shaped outline. Florida Museum identification profile.

Atlantic Florida context

A NOAA-hosted identification guide specifically reports catches off Florida. This supports an offshore regional profile, without suggesting a routine reef encounter. A historical scientific paper also describes a Melbourne Beach stranding, north of this guide’s Vero–Key Largo corridor; that record should not be relabeled as a local dive sighting. Longfin makos use oceanic waters, and their depth use is still incompletely understood. The NOAA-hosted longfin mako guide supplies the Florida occurrence context. NOAA regional identification guides.

Feeding, breeding and size

Fishes and squid are thought to be important food, but the diet is less thoroughly documented than that of many familiar coastal sharks. Females bear live pups, and evidence supports embryos feeding on eggs in the uterus. Reliable breeding calendars and lifespan estimates remain limited. Published maximum lengths differ, so no precise maximum is presented as settled here. Species biology reference.

Three things worth noticing

• Those long pectorals can rival the head in length.
• Scientists formally described this species only in 1966.
• Not knowing its exact breeding calendar is a research gap, not evidence that it does not breed nearby.

Observation and harvest caution

This shark is prohibited from harvest in Florida state waters and is on the federal prohibited-species list. Consult Florida’s shark rules and NOAA’s current recreational shark guidance. Prohibited sharks must remain in the water with their gills submerged under Florida’s handling rules. Do not delay release for photographs or measurements.

For divers, the useful response is to stay with the group, follow the guide’s directions and give the animal room. Do not chase, touch, feed or block its path for a better image. Record the date, location, depth and identifying features after the encounter. An honest uncertain identification is better than attaching a confident species name to an indistinct silhouette.

Current recreational retention rules

Checked November 12, 2026: recreational harvest of longfin makos is prohibited in Florida state waters and retention is prohibited under Atlantic federal shark rules. Florida requires prohibited sharks to remain in the water with their gills submerged. NOAA requires release with minimal injury without removing the shark from the water. Do not delay release for photographs or measurements. Check current jurisdiction-specific requirements before fishing. Official FWC shark rules Official NOAA retention guidance

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