British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Marine Species Glossary - Shortfin Mako Shark - definition

Translation:

Hello, I'm here in Cornwall and today I want to talk to you about one animal in particular, the Short Fin Mako Shark. Short Fin Mako Sharks are found all over the world in warmer, tropical seas. They are 4 metres long and can dive up to 1550m. They are 'Pelagic' which means they're normally found far from land, not normally near the coastline. Mako Sharks are usually solitary; they don't live in groups with other sharks. They are the fastest shark in the world, reaching speeds of up to 75kph. That speed is reflected in the movement of the sign MAKO SHARK. They have a powerful, muscular, crescent shaped tail that propels them very rapidly through the water in pursuit of their prey. The Short Fin Mako Shark has a body that is smooth and streamlined which also helps it move easily through the water. They have a dark blue back and a lighter underside, which makes them camouflaged from their prey. The threat to these sharks comes mainly from overfishing and Target Fishing and as accidental bycatch. Conservation Status is 'Endangered', so we need to protect them.