A Shark’s Tale

A rare find in the shallow water off the University’s beach turned into a learning experience for marine biology students in December as they witnessed the necropsy of a 9-foot mako shark by a team of scientists led by Professor David McKee.

According to McKee, the shark had been dead just a few hours when it was spotted by students waiting for a bus outside the University Services Center on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Apart from a few post-mortem scrapes from bumping up against the rocks just offshore, the shark had no outward signs of damage and still retained its metallic blue color.

“She was still very fresh when she was discovered,” said McKee. “There was no food in her belly which implies that she may have been sick for awhile. But at this point we don’t know about that.”

The discovery of the 450-pound predator made headlines because makos are not indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico. Makos, which are common in Pacific waters from Oregon to Chile, average more than 8 feet in length with long, knife-like teeth. They feed on tuna, swordfish, squid and other sharks and, because of their size and power, they are coveted game fish.
However, makos are not considered a serious threat to humans because they dwell in deep water where few people venture.

McKee, who was assisted in the necropsy by other professors and scientists from several state agencies, hopes that examination of the shark’s tissue and internal organs will help solve the mystery of how the 16-to-18 year old female died.
Because female makos sometimes migrate into the shallow waters of San Diego, Calif. to have their pups, the scientists thought the shark may have been pregnant when she died.

While she was not about to give birth, the shark did have an abnormally small liver which may have contributed to her early death. The collected samples were sent to College Station for further examination. However, test results will not be available until sometime in January.