Raw Material
Commodity GroupPelagic shark (elasmobranch seafood)
Scientific NameIsurus oxyrinchus (shortfin mako) / Isurus paucus (longfin mako)
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions- Wild-capture pelagic species occurring across temperate and tropical ocean waters
Main VarietiesShortfin mako, Longfin mako
Consumption Forms- Frozen loins/steaks/portions for foodservice and retail (where permitted)
- Fresh/chilled shark meat in limited channels (jurisdiction-dependent)
- Shark products associated with fins are subject to heightened scrutiny and restrictions; many fisheries require fins to be landed naturally attached where retention is allowed
Grading Factors- Species identity and documentation (including CITES where applicable)
- Core temperature compliance and evidence of maintained frozen state
- Dehydration/freezer burn presence and glaze condition (if glazed)
- Cut specification (loin/steak/portion), trim, and defect limits
- Odor/appearance consistency and absence of temperature abuse indicators
Market
Frozen mako shark refers to internationally traded frozen meat products derived primarily from shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and, less commonly, longfin mako (Isurus paucus), sourced from pelagic fisheries across temperate and tropical oceans. Global trade is heavily shaped by conservation and regulatory controls, notably CITES Appendix II listing (effective 26 November 2019) that requires permitted, documented trade supported by non-detriment findings. In the Atlantic, management actions (including retention/landing prohibitions in some contexts) can quickly constrain supply availability and redirect trade flows toward compliant channels. Commercial risk is therefore driven less by processing capacity and more by legality/traceability, stock status, and rapidly evolving fisheries management measures.
Specification
Major VarietiesShortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), Longfin mako (Isurus paucus)
Physical Attributes- Typically marketed as frozen loins, steaks, or portions from a large pelagic shark species group; product may be skinless/boneless depending on buyer specification
- Quality is highly sensitive to time/temperature control prior to freezing and to dehydration (freezer burn) during storage
Grades- Buyer specifications commonly reference Codex-aligned hygiene and temperature control expectations for frozen fish/fishery products
Packaging- Frozen blocks or individually packed loins/steaks in lined cartons for export distribution
- Glazing may be used to reduce dehydration during frozen storage (where applicable)
ProcessingMaintained as a frozen product through storage, transport, and distribution; temperature at the product thermal centre is expected to be at or below -18°C after thermal stabilization for frozen fish products
Risks
Regulatory And Conservation Controls HighInternational trade and availability can be abruptly disrupted by conservation controls: shortfin and longfin mako are listed on CITES Appendix II (effective 26 November 2019), requiring permits and findings that trade is not detrimental to the species. In addition, fisheries management measures in key ocean basins (e.g., Atlantic retention/landing prohibitions in some contexts and domestic zero-retention rules aligned to RFMO measures) can rapidly constrain legal supply and increase shipment refusal and seizure risk if documentation is incomplete or non-compliant.Implement strict legal sourcing and chain-of-custody controls (CITES permits, documented origin, and verifiable legality); contractually require full documentation before shipment; maintain alternative species/product options to manage sudden supply shocks.
Illegal Trade And Mislabeling HighSpecies identification and product substitution risks are elevated for shark products in global trade, increasing exposure to illegal trade, mislabeling, and non-compliant shipments (including CITES-related misdeclarations). This can trigger border detentions, reputational damage, and downstream customer loss.Use species-level documentation and, where feasible, DNA-based verification for high-risk lots; require harmonized product labeling and scientific names; audit suppliers for traceability and compliance performance.
Food Safety MediumAs large predatory marine animals, sharks can bioaccumulate methylmercury, creating food-safety and consumer-advisory risk that can affect allowable market channels, buyer specifications, and brand exposure.Align sourcing with buyer contaminant specifications; implement contaminant monitoring/testing where required; ensure clear market-channel compliance with relevant health advisories and import requirements.
Cold Chain And Quality Loss MediumQuality and yield are sensitive to cold-chain integrity; temperature abuse before freezing, inadequate freezing, or dehydration during frozen storage (freezer burn) can lead to customer claims, downgrades, and waste.Set enforceable cold-chain KPIs (including -18°C or colder handling expectations), validate freezer performance, and use packaging/glazing practices consistent with Codex-aligned guidance.
Sustainability- Overfishing vulnerability of shortfin mako due to life-history traits and documented depletion concerns reflected in international management actions and IUCN threat assessments
- Shark finning and shark-product trade reputational risk; buyers may face heightened scrutiny and due-diligence expectations even when trading meat products
- CITES Appendix II compliance requirements (permits and non-detriment findings) for international trade in mako species
FAQ
Why is international trade in mako shark products highly regulated?Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and longfin mako (Isurus paucus) are listed on CITES Appendix II (effective 26 November 2019). This means international shipments generally require CITES permits and supporting findings that the trade is sustainable. In some regions and fisheries, additional retention/landing restrictions also reduce legal supply and increase compliance requirements for traders.
What temperature controls are commonly expected for frozen mako shark during transport and storage?Codex guidance for frozen fish and fishery products emphasizes maintaining frozen product temperatures at -18°C or colder through transportation, storage, and distribution, and defines freezing as complete when the product thermal centre reaches -18°C or lower after thermal stabilization.
What is a common food-safety concern for shark meat products like mako?Sharks are large predatory marine animals and can accumulate methylmercury through the food chain. Public-health authorities note that people are mainly exposed to methylmercury through eating fish and shellfish, and that large predatory species are more likely to have higher levels, which can drive buyer testing requirements or consumer advisories.