Sawfish Conservation Biology Project
The smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, is one of the largest and most distinctive species of ray in the world. This species was once distributed
throughout the Gulf of Mexico coast and along the Atlantic coast of the
U.S. Decades of capture in fisheries, loss of nursery
habitats to coastal development and a low reproductive potential have
caused the population dwindle to a small fraction of its original size.
Today, smalltooth sawfish are found regularly only in the waters of Southwest Florida and they face the real possibility of becoming extinct in this country. In
recognition of this potential extinction, the National Marine Fisheries
Service listed this species as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered
Species Act in 2003.
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While
the conservation
need for smalltooth sawfish has now been recognized, the battle to save
this species from extinction is not over. Implementation of
conservation measures is being severely hampered by the lack of
scientific data. Mote
Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research initiated a research program in 1999 to provide the scientific basis for
conservation and recovery of smalltooth sawfish. Use the links
below to learn more about sawfish, Mote's research and ways that you can
help.
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| This 11-foot sawfish was caught in Everglades National Park and fitted with a satellite tag. |
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- Sawfish facts: Learn more about sawfish species, their biology, conservation efforts and the history of the U.S. population.
- Research: Learn more about the Sawfish Conservation Biology Project and its research.
- How you can help: Learn how to help sawfish research to save the species from extinction.
- Sawfish Educational Materials and Merchandise: Resources for teachers and great sawfish T-shirts and toys.
- Links: Find
useful links to other websites with sawfish info and those that support Mote Marine Laboratory's Sawfish Conservation Biology
Project.
Click on the logo above to report a sawfish encounter.
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