The Mako Shark; a close relative of the Great White is the fastest of all the shark species. It can travel at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour and reaches an average length of 12 to 13 feet. It is believed to be one of the fastest fish in the ocean; second only to Tuna. It can be found in tropical and temperate seas and is capable of keeping it's body temperature higher than the surrounding environment. The Mako is usually found in open seas and less likely to be found near the shoreline. However, it has been known to frequent harbors and marinas while preying on such fish as sardines, cod, or herring. The Mako is prized among sport fishermen because of the amount of resistance it provides when hooked on a line. The bait is cast a few hundred feet away from the boat and is dragged through the water at high speeds. Once hooked the Mako will struggle on the line, providing the fishermen with great resistance and often times it will leap out of the ocean giving an aerial display of it's strength. Just a bit of trivia--In 1936, Ernest Hemmingway caught a 750 pound Mako off the coast of Bimini in the Bahamas and it became a world record catch for a Mako. If you are interested in seeing these beautiful fish up close and personal, the San Diego Shark Diving Expedition would be a great place for you.