The Spotted Mako

In previous and current studies of white sharks, whale sharks and humpback whales, distinct markings on individual animals have been used as ‘natural tags’ for re-sighting an individual, and assessing the movements and site fidelity of a particular population. During this years survey we noticed some interesting pigmentation patterns that could possibly be used in the future to attempt to classify groups of sharks by broad regions. One such mako shark had distinctive spots all over her dorsal and lateral flanks. Another had a cowhide pattern near its anal fin that was similar to the patterns observed on some common thresher and white sharks.

Depredation is a term used to describe the attack or complete removal of one animal off a longline or other fishing gear by other free-swimming animals. During the third leg of this year’s survey there were two sharks that bore fresh scars that suggested that they had been attacked while on the longline. This may be a demonstration of the opportunistic behavior of makos or blue sharks toward other sharks and is certainly another example that it is survival of the fittest out there.