Sharks caught in the protective gill nets off Natal,South Africa. 3. The shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus (Rafinesque)

Between 1966 and 1989,255 shortfin mako sharks Isurus oxyrinchus were caught in the gill nets which protect the tourist beaches of Natal. The catch rate showed no trend, fluctuating about a mean of 0,34 sharks·km-net^?1·year^?1. Catches were highest between May and November, when the water tends to be cooler. The sex ratio was 1,4 males to 1 female. Specimens ranged in size from 84 to 276 cm precaudal length, with a mode of 191–195 cm for males and 251–255 cm for females. Males matured at 160-170 cm and females at approximately 220 cm. Catches included two recently fertilized females and two with well-developed embryos. External injuries were found on 14 per cent of males examined and 41 per cent of females. Elasmobranchs were the most common prey category, occurring in 60 per cent of stomachs containing food, followed by teleosts at 40 per cent. Most of the elasmobranch prey were sharks shorter than 1 m.