A 10-foot mako shark was recently observed circling its prey off the coast of California, an event described by local boaters as an “incredible encounter.” The sighting was shared in a Sept. 22 Instagram post by Dana Wharf Whale Watching, which noted that the mako is the fastest shark in the ocean and can reach speeds up to 45 mph.
“We don’t see long fin mako sharks eating sea lions; shortfin mako sharks are larger and tend to have a diet for sea lions,” Capt. Todd Mansur told McClatchy News. “Shortfins target everything.”
The moment was captured on drone footage and showed what observers called an “intimidating” shark hunting at sea.
According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, shortfin mako sharks are highly sought after by recreational fishers and are also used for products such as shark fin soup, leather, and oils. These sharks migrate over long distances, making encounters with them rare for those out on the water near California’s coast.
Dana Point, where this event took place, is located about 60 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
