Built for speed, mako sharks are highly migratory open ocean animals. Sometimes called the 'cheetah of the seas', these sleek, silver sharks can reach speeds of up to 72 km/h, making them the fastest shark on Earth.

But even this might not be enough to save them from the relentless decline of sharks throughout our oceans. Sharks, including makos, are threatened by overfishing, shark finning, illegal trade, habitat degradation and bycatch.

The Australian Government promised to protect these sharks but has bowed to the pressure of a small, yet vocal, minority of recreational and charter fishers who opposed protection for these vulnerable migratory species. We need to turn the government's decision around.

Our blue planet urgently needs you to support action to protect the mako shark. 

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), an international body, has listed the shortfin mako, longfin mako and porbeagle as species requiring urgent international conservation action.

As a signatory to the CMS, Australia is duty bound to protect these sharks under our Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Listing these shark species would protect them from the threats they face, including fishing.

The international community has spoken and now our voice is needed.

They have pressured the Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett MP to back down on his commitment.

The Minister and his advisors need to hear from us, the advocates for healthy oceans, expressing our disappointment at his decision and urging him to protect our precious sharks.
 
Please click below to send your letter to the government.

The cheetah of the sea needs your voice today to help give these magnificent sharks the protection they deserve. Please act today.