Watch the World’s Fastest Shark Zoom Past a Diver and Dominate a Marlin

The once-in-a-lifetime encounter captured in the video at the bottom of the page is a must-see. It’s one of those chance meetings that required the right place and the right time (not for the marlin, though!). Watch through the end to see how this diver manages to capture the moment and quickly escape from the attack!

Click Below to Watch This Incredible Video!

How Fast Do Mako Sharks Swim?

The shortfin mako shark is revered for its unbelievable ability to reach top speeds underwater. It’s found throughout the world in warm, temperate environments, but on some occasions, it makes its way over to cooler waters. On average, it travels just over 30 miles per hour (MPH), but it can also travel as fast as 46 MPH! They use their speed as part of their hunting strategy, diving upward to tear chunks off the bodies of their prey (which includes tunas, mackerels, and swordfish).

The Marlin’s Natural Predators

Marlins are large and powerful fish that can grow up to 14 feet long and weigh over 1,500 pounds. As a result of their size and strength, marlins have very few natural predators in the ocean. However, there are some animals that may occasionally prey on these impressive creatures.

One of the most significant natural predators of marlins is sharks. Several species of shark, including great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks, are known to hunt marlins for food. These predators use their sharp teeth and powerful jaws to attack the marlin’s body or tail as it swims through the water.

Other potential predators of marlins include other large predatory fish such as swordfish or tuna. These species may compete with marlin for food sources, such as squid or smaller fish but generally do not actively seek out marlin as prey.

While they face relatively few natural threats from other animals in their environment, human activity poses a significant risk to these majestic creatures’ survival. Overfishing has drastically reduced the populations of many marine species worldwide, including those that make up the primary diet of larger predator fish like marlins.

Shark Zooms in to Attack a Marlin

When the video starts, you see a montage of Al McGlashan’s aquatic adventures, appropriately titled “Big Fish, Small Boats.” He starts by explaining that he’s been fishing all his life and that nearly nothing surprises him, but the most terrifying moment for him was swimming with a 300-pound mako shark. Recounting the day, he shares everything was going to plan. He jumped in the water to film a marlin’s release, and it was perfect.

A couple of hours later, after lunchtime, they were back out again but struggling this time. When he jumped in the water, he realized that the fish had calmed down. He found it a little odd but didn’t pay too much mind. His plan was to identify the fish, but he wanted to get some photos of the large marlin against his boat first. At this point, things were moving along nicely again, so he swam up to get a final shot.

Suddenly, everything shifted. McGlashan felt a “whoosh” in the water and immediately started wondering what it was. It was a massive mako shark that had taken the opportunity to attack the marlin still hooked at the side of the boat. It started with a bite at the center of its body and then went closer to its tail. Once he got the marlin’s tail, it was a bloodbath. He kept filming, but he knew he had to get out of the water — and fast!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © wildestanimal/Shutterstock.com