Mako shark, commonly used for shark meat, now labeled as endangered

August 27, 2019

The shortfin mako shark is now considered endangered.

Conservation experts voted the shark onto the endangered species list at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species conference in Geneva last week.

One of the most common shark species used for meat, the mako shark is dangerously overfished and at risk, Earther reports.

At the conference, conservationists from 102 countries voted to list the species under Appendix II. Representatives from 40 countries opposed the classification.

Appendix II listings require that special sustainability measures are put into place to protect an at-risk species. This classification also means that mako sharks can no longer be traded in most circumstances, according to National Geographic.

Despite the risk to this species, officials in the U.S. opposed the Appendix II classification and voted against it.

Photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Mako shark, commonly used for shark meat, now labeled as endangered

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