Update on the Venezuelan catch and spatial-temporal distribution of shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrhincus) and other common shark species caught in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters of the North Atlantic Ocean

Venezuelan shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) catch estimates commenced to be recorded separately and reported to ICCAT in 2004, previously was recorded under the shark category (SHX or SHK). In this document statistical data from various sources, official statistics, publications, grey literature, expert opinion, and several ICCAT monitoring projects for data improvement in Venezuela were used to reconstruct the specific shortfin mako shark catch for the period of 1986-2015 caught by the industrial longline fishery and the artisanal drift-gillnet fishery for the period 1991-2014. Information on size, and sex ratio of shortfin mako shark from the Venezuelan pelagic longline fishery and the artisanal drift-gillnet fishery is presented for the period 1994-2014. The document updates the analyses of spatial and temporal distribution of shortfin mako shark, and other common shark species of concern to ICCAT, including Carcharhinus falciformis, C. longimanus, Alopias spp., and Sphyrna spp. from both fisheries.